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vlAR KFI 



from a Persian manuscript of the Seven- 
teenth Century containing Quatrains of Omar 
Khayyam, in the possession of the Translator 



The Quatrains are in the margin of the 
page, and beginning at the top are as follows: 
Numbers 422, 512, the first bait of 868; 369, 
1st, 2nd and 4th lines of 739, and 3d line of 
740; and 163 of this trans latio?t 



The QUATRAINS 

OF 

OMAR KHAYYAM 

of Nishapur 



TRANSLATED FROM THE PERSIAN INTO ENGLISH 

VERSE, INCLUDING QUATRAINS NOW FOR 

THE FIRST TIME SO RENDERED 



EBEN FRANCIS THOMPSON 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

NATHAN HASKELL DOLE 




PRIVATELY PRINTED 
MCMVI 



^ 



f^"^$ 



^ 



ilgWRV-^' CONGRESS 

DtC 2e 4906 

COPY A, 



copyright 1906 
By Eben Francis Thompson 

yf // rights reserved 

(published DECEMBER, I906) 



The Commonwealth Press 
AVorcester. Mass. 



Introduction 

Since most foreign words, especially those expressing 
abstract qualities, cannot be adequately represented each by 
any one exact equivalent, it is evident that no translation of 
a masterpiece can be perfectly satisfactory. That is why so 
many are stimulated to keep trying to make an advance in 
accuracy, in felicity of phrase, in form, over the translations 
that have already been offered to the public. Thus in 
Homer we find the version in rimed couplets, in blank 
verse, in ballad form, in hexameters, in rhythmic prose, in 
Spenserian stanzas, and the student will find in each succes- 
sive attempt to represent the original, something to praise 
and something to blame. The ideal can never be attained, 
because one language can never be another language. A 
hundred persons may try to put into English verse an ode 
of Horace or such a lyrical gem as Heine's "Du bist wie 
eine Blume," but in each case the crux will arise in such a 
phrase as simplex munditiis or in such a word as Wehmut^ 
which do not mean quite what the lexicon attempts to give 
as the definition. 

This may be said, with even more emphasis, of Oriental 
works, where a far more subtle connotation is inherent in 
word and combination of words. It has been unfor- 
tunate that the majority of those who have attempted 
to translate Arabian and Persian poetry have not been 
poets; they have labored to show the Western world what 

III 



INTRODUCTION 

treasures were stored away in the Haft Kulzum and other 
marvellous compilations, in divans made up of vividly col- 
ored ruba'iyatj in ghazals and epilogues, but as soon as they 
laid hand on the gorgeous colored fabric the magic vanished, 
just as in dichromic minerals where there is beautiful trans- 
lucency or exquisite color viewed in one direction but muddy 
opacity viewed in another. Those bald and frigid transla- 
tions have their value, but they merely prepare the way for 
the true poet-interpreter to come. 

Until FitzGerald gave us his immortal paraphrase no 
one would have suspected from the dull and lifeless speci- 
mens of Omar's verse that may be found scattered here and 
there through the misrepresented literature of the Orient, 
that the Astronomer-poet was worthy of a moment's atten- 
tion. FitzGerald's eyes were opened, and although his 
knowledge of Persian was neither very wide nor very deep, 
he had the genius to detect the marvellous poetry concealed 
in the crabbed manuscripts of the Bodleian and Calcutta 
libraries. He can be hardly said to have translated Omar's 
quatrains, so much of himself and his own thought he infused 
into his work, but nevertheless one cannot doubt that if the 
Tent-maker were to return to earth and become cognizant of 
what had been done he would have marked it with the seal 
of his approval; he would have said, "This is an interpre- 
tation; it is I." 

Of course the nearer a translation approaches the form 
or gives the impression of the melody of the original, the 
more satisfactory it is, and John Payne's attempt to render 
the quatrains in the lilting measure and with the wealth of 
complicated rimes, characteristic of the original, would have 
been in the right direction, had the English language been 
adapted for such a tour de force. 

IV 



INTRODUCTION 

Unfortunately, in order to accomplish this the translator 
was obliged to resort to grotesque transpositions and com- 
binations of words, and the first requisite of a translation 
was largely sacrificed; English words took the place of "the 
high-sounding Pahlevi," but the compound was not English, 
and the attempt was valuable, if for nothing else, to show 
how impossible the task. Many translations of Omar have 
been put forth since FitzGerald's Paraphrase was launched 
on the sea of popularity, and most of them have followed 
his modest course in copying simply the arrangement of 
rime and using the plain Iambic pentameter, and this una- 
nimity of procedure is based on sound common sense. It 
gives ample scope for felicity of phrase and is in exact 
accord with the genius of the English language. 

Mr. Eben Francis Thompson, the latest adventurer 
on this wide sea of exploration, has come back with a richer 
cargo than any who have preceded him; unless — and this 
is quite improbable — some new manuscript source should 
be discovered, he has swept in the whole range of poems 
attributed to Omar Khayyam. No one knows better than 
Mr. Thompson how considerable a proportion of this 
material is imitation and not original. There is no known 
test, no known touchstone of style or content, or chirog- 
raphy, or tradition, or anything to which a ruba'i attributed 
to this poet may be applied and labeled. It is almost wholly 
guess-work, and unfortunately, just as the English version 
of FitzGerald lends itself most readily to parody, so the 
original is verse so admirably adapted to expression of 
thought and feeling that its form is typical. It is therefore 
probable that there are numerous serious parodies in Per- 
sian which might well have been written by Omar and yet 



V 



INTRODUCTION 

which arose centuries after his body had crumbled to dust 
under the yellow roses of Meshed. 

Mr. Thompson has put into English verse this whole 
body of Persian poetry. It is a marvel of close translation, 
accurate and satisfactory. He has succeeded in doing 
exactly what he set out to do, — to add nothing and to take 
nothing away, but to put into the typical quatrain, as deter- 
mined by FitzGerald and others, exactly what Omar and 
his unknown imitators said. He has taken infinite time, 
patience and pains to do this work, and it was well worth 
doing. The manifold repetitions and replicas, differing 
from one another only by a few words or a line, found in 
variant manuscripts, he has relegated to the foot-notes, but 
the body of the book contains all the Omaresque literature. 
It has been a labor of love, absorbing and fascinating and 
yet endlessly trying, and at last it is accomplished and is 
given to the large body of Omar-lovers, — not in any way 
to compete with or rival FitzGerald's unique masterpiece,, 
but to interpret that, and to show what Omar was beyond 
and beside that. FitzGerald's version is no more definitely 
Omar than any other divan of verses attributed to him. 
Some of them may be, most of them probably were not, 
but they are all penetrated by the spirit and philosophy of 
the Tent-maker; witty, cynical, occasionally pessimistic, im- 
bued with true Oriental fatalism, but brave and wholesome 
if properly understood. 

Mr. Thompson has given us the chance to read what 
Omar and his school really thought and said, and he has 
put this into a satisfactory form also, with much aptness, 
of phrase and beauty of expression. As such it is worthy 
of commendation to all lovers of Omar. 

NATHAN HASKELL DOLE. 

VI 



Preface 

Omar Khayyam* was born in the first half of the 
eleventh century A. D., at or near Nishapur, in the prov- 
ince of Khorasan, Persia, and died 1 1 23 A. D. ( 5 1 7 A. H.). 
The precise date of his birth is a matter of conjecture, but 
it probably occurred in the period from 1030 to 1040 A. D., 
although some accounts make him a schoolfellow of Hasan 
Ibn Ali (better known as Nizam ul Mulk), born, it is 
believed, in 1017 A. D., and of Hasan i Sabbah, who died 
1 1 24 A. D. If these accounts be correct, Omar lived to 
the age of one hundred and six years, and Hasan i Sabbah 
died at one hundred and seven, a circumstance so remark- 
able that it stands not within the prospect of belief We 
are compelled at the same time to dismiss the tale of the 
schoolboy compact told in FitzGerald's Introduction, how- 
ever reluctantly, since it seems that the Wasaya or testament 
giving the account was not written by Nizam ul Mulk but 
by a descendant some twelve generations after. But what- 
ever the doubts as to the exact date of Omar's birth, he 
probably reached old age, though the verse in quatrain 
467, "A hundred years Thy grace hath fostered me," must 
be taken rather as the exaggeration of poetry than as a sober 
statement of fact. 

In quatrain 20 he says "Seventy-two years I Ve pon- 

*Omar's full name was Ghias uddin Abul Fath Omar bin Ibrahim Al 
Khayyam . 

VII 



PREFACE 

dered day and night," and in quatrain 771 "My life's 
reached seventy years, if I do not Rejoice this moment, ah, 
when shal] I, pray?" and elsewhere makes allusions to his 
age, so that, if the quatrains have weight in determinmg the 
question, Omar outlived the Psalmist's span. 

It is reasonable to suppose that he had passed the age 
of thirty when, in 1074 A. D. (467 A. H.), according to 
two authorities, Ibn ul Athir and Abu-1 Feda, Omar was 
appointed upon a Royal Commission of eight persons by 
Malik Shah, to reform the old Persian calendar. During 
this term of office, which continued until the death of the 
latter, in 1092 A. D., he compiled the astronomical tables 
known as Zij i Malikshahi. 

Omar's reform of the calendar consisted in ascertaining 
more exactly the length of the solar year and an improved 
system of intercalation. If the statement of mathematicians 
be correct, it is a strange commentary upon the era in which 
we live, the age of precision, that the calendar which con- 
tents us, should be less accurate than that of the old 
astronomer of Khorasan, eight centuries ago. 

The province of Khorasan, situated in northeastern 
Persia, and which has been characterized with more flippancy 
than truth as being in Omar's day " a half barbarous prov- 
ince," was one of the richest divisions of the kingdom at 
that time and formed the nucleus of the expanding empire 
conquered by the Seljuk Turks, Togrul Beg and his brother 
and Lieutenant Chakir, from the Ghaznavides, about the 
middle of the eleventh century of our era. Chakir died in 
1060 A. D., and Togrul three years later, and was succeeded 
by Alp Arslan, his nephew, under whom and his successor, 
MaUk Shah, the empire attained the highest degree of pros- 
perity and splendor. Khorasan, aptly called " The Land of 

VIII 



PREFACE 

the Sun " by reason of its mild climate and generally fertile 
and productive soil, was the very heart of this material and 
intellectual uprising, and Nishapur, its largest city, the 
birthplace of the poet, was one of the great cities of the 
Orient, the centre of a prosperous activity, well named 
"The Gateway of the East," lying as it did directly upon 
the caravan route from India. The city, one of the oldest 
of Persia, was a centre of learning as well as of trade, having 
no less than eight colleges, while its population was vari- 
ously estimated as from 200,000 to 400,000 inhabitants. 

Alas ! to-day the mountain-girt plain, where once stood 
the magnificent city, is covered by stretches of ruins, amid 
which cluster the meagre dwellings of less than 10,000 souls. 
It is, perhaps, not wholly a matter of surprise that Persian 
civilization of Omar's time should be misunderstood to-day, 
for too frequently we forget that then, when Europe was 
but just emerging from her long night of intellectual dark- 
ness, Persia was the very focus of a civilization equaling any 
that the world had then known. 

Omar's poetical works were probably occasional rather 
than formal, and most of his known writings treated of 
scientific subjects. They are as follows : 



Ruba'yat* (quatrains). 

Demonstrations of the Problems of Algebra. 

Some Difficulties of Euclid's Definitions. 

Zij i MaHkshahi (astronomical tables). 

Handbook of Natural Science (title not known). 

El-Kawn wal-Taklif (metaphysics). 



*The above form of transliteration of this word into English seems 
preferable, since the original is written without tashdid. 

IX 



PREFACE 

7. El-Wajud (metaphysics). 

8. Mizan ul-Hukm (scientific). 

9. Lawazim ul-Amkina (natural science). 

10. Demonstrations of the Exactitude of the Indian 
Methods of Extracting Square and Cube Roots. 

1 1. Arabic Poems. 

The first three of the above we have, the others are 
only known to us by name. Much of his philosophy was 
of a nature to challenge the hostility of the orthodox Mus- 
sulman and his manuscripts were doubtless the object of 
the destructive zeal of the pious. It is small wonder, then, 
that the reputation of the poet was obscured by that of the 
astronomer and mathematician, and that the seeds of his 
poetry and philosophy should have lain dormant in the 
dust of eight centuries, hidden save to the few, only to 
germinate and spring up in renewed vigor and grace of 
flower, fragrance and fruitage under western skies, sweet in 
the main, but with an occasional bitterness and pungency 
most stimulating. 

Edward FitzGerald's brilliant paraphrase of less than 
one-tenth of Omar's quatrains was the first work which 
gave to English readers some knowledge of and aroused an 
interest in him as a poet and philosopher. FitzGerald's 
wide departure from the text of his Persian original, while 
amply justified by the splendor of the result, had, never- 
theless, an influence upon subsequent translators, so that 
with the exception of Mr. Edward Heron-Allen's prose 
literal translation of the Bodleian and other FitzGerald 
originals (some two hundred quatrains in all), no version 
of any considerable number of the quatrains hitherto pub- 
lished has been uniformly literal or close. 

X 



PREFACE 

The translations of Mr. Whinfield, Mr. Garner and 
Mrs. Cadell, which deal with a portion of the quatrains, 
are highly poetic but free versions. In characterizing them 
as " free," 1 do not desire to be regarded as implying that 
they do not interpret the spirit of the original, or that in 
many instances they do not render with fidelity its letter, 
but rather that reverence for the Persian text has been 
often made secondary to the poetical beauty of the English 
version. 

Mr. John Payne has made a version containing a 
larger number of the quatrains than the others. Mr. Payne 
has necessarily subordinated other considerations in attempt- 
ing to reproduce the metrical scheme of the original, and, 
as far as the nature of the case admits, he has succeeded in 
doing this in a manner impossible to a less accompHshed 
Persian-Arabic scholar than he. 

A strictly literal translation of Khayyam is hardly pos- 
sible, for the reason that there is no received text, and the 
verbal variations are so numerous. A metrical version 
seems to be essential. I have attempted to make a trans- 
lation, which, while not literal at every point, may be said 
to be rather along the lines of close than of free translation. 
I have followed, save in a few instances, the Iambic penta- 
meter used and made popular by FitzGerald. The length 
of this line corresponds more closely to the Persian Ruba'i 
line than perhaps any other. 

The Ruba'i, quatrain, or four line stanza, has from 
ten to thirteen syllables in a line and rimes in the first, 
second and fourth lines, and occasionally in all four. Each 
Ruba'i constitutes a complete and distinct poem in itself, 
and in this form is purely a Persian invention. 

I have in all cases endeavored to give the essential 
XI 



PREFACE 

meaning of the original, but where metrical considerations 
have compelled paraphrase or departure from its letter, I 
have generally given a literal translation in the correspond- 
ing foot-note. 

No complete version has hitherto appeared. I have 
included all the quatrains in the various manuscripts and 
published texts cited elsewhere, so that this translation 
comprises a large number of quatrains not hitherto trans- 
lated into English. In the case of variant readings 1 have 
adopted that which seemed to me best, giving in the foot- 
notes all important variations, and since the translation is 
not accompanied by a Persian text, no necessity exists for 
following the arbitrary Diwan order or alphabetical sequence 
of rime endings, and as each quatrain is a separate poem, 
I have not grouped them in accordance with the subject- 
matter, but have rather striven to emphasize their individu- 
ality as in the original. The minor and obscure quatrains, 
some of which have been given merely for completeness, I 
have placed in an appendix. In translating them I have 
dealt with them somewhat more freely than with the others, 
as one source of their obscurity or triviality is the delight 
of the Oriental mind, in subtleties which we of the West 
may not always appreciate. I have in some instances en- 
deavored to indicate the word-play of the original, but 
most of it is utterly untranslatable, and the instances given 
are merely by way of illustration of an interesting feature 
of Persian poetry. 

The quatrains may be classified in relation to their 
subject-matter as follows : The Bahariyah, poems, in praise 
of Spring or Nature; the Firaqiyah, where the poet com- 
plains of separation from the beloved; the Hajw, or satires; 
the Halyah or Shikayat i Ruzgar, complaints against Fate 

XII 



PREFACE 

for the wretched condition of the poet ; Kufriyah, when the 
poet slanders the prophet, praises wine, or uses expressions 
hostile to the law; Shahrashob, an invective against the 
inhabitants of a town ; Munajat, addresses to Deity. 

Any attempt to epitomize the character of Khayyam 
as shown in his writings would be a difficult task, so varied 
and contradictory are the quatrains. Written at different 
periods covering a long life, they doubtless often express 
his passing mood. Possessing that quality of universality 
which is characteristic of the highest genius he has been 
claimed by all the sects. Nicolas hails him as a Mystic, 
and places upon his eternal hymning of the Grape a mys- 
tic interpretation, claiming that Omar sang of Wine as 
typifying Divine Love, rather than the cup. The truth, 
which loves a golden mean, doubtless lies between these 
two extremes, for while Omar often used the word in its most 
literal sense, many of the quatrains can be most justly inter- 
preted mystically. The fact is that Omar was the laureate 
of good fellowship, and sings ofttimes what less gifted mor- 
tals feel but do not seem to have the power to express, and 
one of his great fascinations lies in the fact that from across 
eight centuries we seem to hear in him a voice which sounds 
the protest of to-day; and that is one of the reasons for the 
high popularity which his writings have attained. His 
strong human sympathy and audacity in dealing with theo- 
logical dogma, no less than the keenness of his wit and the 
bitterness of his mockery, also tended to his popularity. 

He who attempts to make a complete translation ot 
the poems must necessarily include many that are inferior 
and it would be strange if, in dealing as this work does 
with more than eleven hundred different quatrains, a con- 
siderable number, trivial and obscure, were not included. 

XIII 



PREFACE 

It should be said that Omar followed but the custom of 
his age and that Wine was as much an accepted theme for 
Oriental poets as Spring or Love, and that very likely the 
preponderance of such quatrains is in a measure due to the 
additions of later scribes and imitators. So too, of Omar's 
invectives, it should be borne in mind that he lived at a 
time of bitter religious controversy and that his attacks 
were not so much directed at religion itself as at the hypoc- 
risy of the Mollahs and at formalism in religion. 

In addition to the obligation which every student of 
Persian is under to those who have preceded him, my 
especial thanks are due to Mr. Nathan Haskell Dole for 
his generous interest in and examination of my manuscript, 
to Professor William E. Story, of Clark University, to 
Mr. Charles D. Burrage, who has placed at my disposal 
certain texts and authorities, and to Dr. Louis N. Wilson, 
librarian of Clark University, who has generously loaned 
to me copies of otherwise inaccessible texts. 

After my translation had been completed, I availed 
myself of the services of Mirza Ali Kuh Khan, who assisted 
me in the matter of variant and preferred readings, and I 
desire to express my obligations to him. I am also indebted 
to the work of Dr. Arthur Christensen, of the University 
of Copenhagen, for some of my references. 

Worcester, Massachusetts, 
September i6, 1906. 



XIV 



rhe QUATRAINS oj 
OMAR KHAYYAM 



Abbreviations 



B. The Ouseley MS. No. 140, Bodleian Library, Oxford, dated A. H. 
865 (A. D. 1460), containing 158 quatrains, fac simile Persian text edited 
by Edward Heron-Allen, London, 1898. 

C. A copy made from the Calcutta MS. (now lost) No, 1548 of the 
Bengal Asiatic Society of Calcutta. The numbering will very likely only 
approximate references in some other works for the marginal quatrains 
are here noted as such. The Calcutta printed edition of 1836 was evi- 
dently taken from this MS. omitting the repeated quatrains and placing 
the marginal quatrains in a supplement. The number references to C. 
are therefore to be treated as approximate, but as covering both the MS. 
and the printed edition. 

N. Persian text edited by J. B. Nicolas, Paris, L'Imprimerie Imperiale 
1867, containing 464 quatrains. These were taken principally from the 
Teheran lithographed edition of 1861. 

L. The Lucknow hthograph, A. H. 1312 (A. D. 1894), containing 
770 quatrains (also A. H. 1320, A. D. 1902). This edition may be said to 
cover the Bombay and Stamboul editions. 

W. Persian text of editions of E. H. Whinfield, London, 1883, 500 
quatrains; and 1901, of 508 quatrains. 

P. Persian text lithographed at St. Petersburg, A. H. 1306 (A. D. 
1888), containing 453 quatrains nearly identical with N. Taken from the 
Tabriz edition of 1868. The lithographed editions are not numbered ; 
I have referred to copies numbered by me. 

F. Edward FitzGerald's poem or version called "The Rubaiyat of 
Omar Khayyam." (Fourth edition, unless otherwise noted.) The refer- 
ences to FitzGerald are not confined to texts which he used but include 
many parallel references. 

Note. I have omitted marking alif and ya in Persian and Arabic 
words, for while this is essential in the correct transliteration of sentences, 
it is not so important in the case of isolated words, and as the marks convey 
no meaning to the English reader, or are mistaken for stress marks, I have 
omitted their use. I have followed, too, in many instances, the popular 
spelling as Omar for 'Umar, etc. 



The Quatrains of Omar Khayyam 

I 

Let not your soul in Sorrow's clasp be prest, 
Nor let your days be filled with vain unrest ; 
The book, the loved one's lips and marge 
of mead 
Forsake not ere Earth fold you in her breast. 

2 

I'll counsel give, if you will list to me, 
Don not the garment of Hypocrisy, 

This life is but a breath, the next all time. 
For that one breath sell not Eternity. 



1. B. 76. C. 150. L. 315. F. 24. L., in line 1, varies, "Let not 
sorrow seize on thy stronghold." C. and L. vary in line Sand read "Drink 
wine on the green by the flowing stream ere," etc. 

2. B. 101. C. 251. N. 240. L. 468. P. 239. W. 280. "Time," line 
3 lit. "hours," L. reads "days." "Breath" syn. "an instant." 

Line 2, lit. "For God's sake, don not," etc. 

Line 4, "Eternity," lit. "The Kingdom of Eternity." 

Above letters refer to various Persian texts as B, Bodleian, L,, Lucknow, etc. 
(See table of abbreviations.) 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

3 
Drink wine! for when to dust your body turns, 
Your clay becomes thereafter cups and urns, 

Of Hell or Heaven reck not, for pray why should 
A wise man be deceived in such concerns? 

4 
No night my cry doth not reach Gemini, 
That my tears' current flows not to the sea; 

''After to-morrow'' say'st ''I'll drink with thee?" 
Life e'en that morrow may not reach for me! 

5 
This vase like me a hapless lover pined 
In snares of beauty's tresses once confined; 

This handle on its neck you see was once 
An arm oft round the loved one's neck entwined. 



3. B. 79. C. 131. L. 293. "Concerns," lit. "news;" L. reads 
"life." C. line 3, reads "Hear not talk of," etc., for "reck not," and 
line 4 "by such talk." 

4. C. 206. L. 289. This quatrain is a good illustration of the Per- 
sian use of the verb in varying senses in the different lines; "rasidan," 
to reach, to arrive, to attain, etc. It also illustrates a certain extravagance 
of expression, quite Oriental. 

5. B. 9. C. 40. (Repeated margin of C. page 92.) N. 28. L. 81. 
P. 28. W. 32. F. 36. B. varies in line 2, "And was in pursuit of a fair 
face." C. marginal quatrain varies in line 2, "lip to the lovely sweet- 
heart's lip," and rimes in "budah" instead of "budast." 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



On that Day when the good rewards receive, 
May I, a suppliant sot, a share derive! 

Let the Fates count me with the good, if good. 
Or with the bad, if bad, may They forgive! 

7 
So go about that men salute thee ne'er; 
With folk live that from comment they forbear; 

So enter mosques that they ne'er summon thee 
In front, nor thee appoint to lead in prayer! 

8 

Whose heart so ever love lights, whether he 
The mosque attend or church frequenter be. 

Hath his name written in the book of Love 
From thought of Paradise or Hell set free. 



6. C. 146. L. 364. W. 238. Lit. "To-morrow when the lot of the 
good They (the Fates) give, To me, a suppHant sot a share may They 
give." 

7. C. 138. L. 299. C. transposes predicates in lines 1 and 2. 

8. C. 36. N. 60. L. 44. P. 60. W. 63. "Church," line 2, "kin- 
isht," a term applied to churches or synagogues, apparently any place of 
religious worship but a mosque. 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

9 
The idol spoke thus to the devotee, 
"Dost thou know how thou cam'st to worship me?" 
'* Through me His beauty hath He caused to 
shine, 
Who, oh my witness, vision gives to thee." 

lO 

Where in yon palace Bahram wine-cup prest. 
The roe bears young, the lion oft takes rest. 

King Bahram who in noose oft caught the Gur, 
See how the Gur hath Bahram caught at last! 

1 1 

Since long in earth you '11 sleep, the goblet drain. 
For far from friend, mate, consort, you '11 remain. 

Take care this secret you do not reveal, 
**No withered tulip ever blooms again." 



9. L. 7. W. 14. "Witness," "shahid" syn. "loved one." 

10. C. 90. N. 69. L. 210. P. 69. W. 72. F. 18. See q. 572. 
Bahram Gur, Bahram of the wild ass, a celebrated hunter king, was so 
called on account of his fondness for hunting the gur, onager or wild ass, 
a very alert and nimble prey. The word-play which I have purposely 
shown is upon the word "Gur," which also means "grave." C. reads, 
line 2, "Foxes bear young," and line 3 "Ever caught the 'Gur,'" and 
line 4 "To-day see," etc., and L., "All his life caught the *Gur.' " 

11. C. 73. B. 35. L. 188. W. 107. F. 63. Also ascribed to Hafiz. 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

12 

O, thou! whose cheeks surpass the eglantine! 
Whose lovely face outvies the maids of Chin ! 

Thy one glance giv'n my fond king yestere'en 
Moved knight and bishop, castle, pawns and queen! 

13 
Life's caravan moves on in mystery, 
Seize then the joyous moments as they fly. 

Why fret, boy, o'er the morrow of thy friends? 
Bring forth the cup, for night is hast'ning by! 

14 
To him who o'er his sins doth easy seem, 
Let pious people make this point their theme; 

'*To say *God's wisdom is the cause of sin,' 
To men of sense seems ignorance extreme." 



12. B. 46. L. 228. W. 135. A chess quatrain addressed to the 
beloved. Lines 1 and 2, lit. "O thy cheeks are placed above the fashion 
of the eglantine, Thy face throws down the idols of China!" The word 
play is untranslatable and is upon the various meanings of the word 
"tarh," mode, fashion, a move in chess, etc. "Chin," China. The 
Chinese type of beauty was much esteemed by the Persians. "Fond," 
line 3, B. reads "Babil," "the king of Babylon." 

13. B. 60. C. 117. N. 106. L. 245. P. 106. W. 136. F. 48. The 
texts vary slightly but are substantially synonymous. 

14. N. 116. W. 144. P. 116. Also ascribed to Nasir uddin Tusi. 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

15 
Zealots know not as we Thy clemency; 
The stranger as the friend cannot know Thee; 

Thou say'st, "If thou sin I '11 cast thee to Hell.'* 
Tell that to him who knows not Thee as we. 

16 

Though creeds some two and seventy there be, 
The first of creeds I hold is love of Thee; 
What of obedience, Islam, unfaith, sin? 
Thou 'rt all my aim, the rest be far from me! 

17 
Last night, wine flown, the tavern passing, I 
A graybeard, drunk and jar on back, did spy, 

I said, "Old man, 'fore God, have you no shame?'* 
"From God comes mercy, drink!" was his reply. 



15. N. 190. W. 204. 

16. N. 248. W. 287. P. 247. 

17. C. 254. N. 244. L. 462. P. 243. W. 284. 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



i8 



The Sun flings morning's noose o'er dome and tower, 
Day's king Khosrau, wine in the bowl doth pour; 

Drink ! For the rising Herald of the Morn 
Greeting the days proclaims the dawning hour. 

19 
Arise and come, for my heart's solace, pray 
This state of doubt with thy charm take away. 
And bring a jug of wine that we may drink 
Ere potters fashion wine-jars from our clay! 

20 

Destiny's curtain none can penetrate, 
Nor learn the hidden mysteries of Fate, 

Seventy-two years I 've pondered day and night, 
Nor solve aught — long the tale were to relate! 



18. C. 116. L. 235. W. 233. F. 1. Kai Khosrau, King Cyrus. C. 
reads line 2 for "wine," "a stone," and line 4 "cries out 'Drink ye!' " 

19. C. 8. N. 6. L. 12. W. 5. P. 6. N., line 2, reads "Solve one 
problem." 

20. C. 168. N. 177. L. 345. P. 177. W. 192. L. varies in line 3, 
"Every one speaks from conjecture," and C. "Every one talks wisely." 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

21 

I drink my wine, for men like me of sense 
In God's sight 'tis of little consequence; 
He knew it at the first, if I drink not 
Sheer ignorance would be God's prescience! 

22 

O, Kh'aja! grant us one wish, only one. 

Be still! with our affairs with God have done! 

We walk aright, 't is you who see awry. 
Go you and cure your sight, leave us alone! 

23 

Heaven whispered to my spirit secretly, 

*'The fixed decrees of Fate learn thou from me. 

If I in my own turnings had a hand. 
Myself from dizziness I 'd have set free!" 



21. B. 75. C. 177. N. 182. L. 356. W. 197. P. 182. F. 61. Also 
ascribed to Talib Amuli and Siraj uddin Qumri. 

22. N. 5. L. 18. P. 5. W. 4. C. 11. Kh'aja, a rich or learned 
person. 

23. B. 154. W. 507. Line 1, lit. "In my heart's ear Heav'n said 
secretly." F. 72. 

8 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

24 
A cup ! for He who did this clay combine, 
Of love and drink on our heads wrote the line; 

With beauties and with wine the world is filled, 
But only promised are Heaven's maids and wine ! 

25 
Wash me with grape juice when life ebbs away, 
And '* parting words" with wine and wine-cup say; 

If me ye 'd find on Resurrection Morn, 
In dust of tavern thresholds seek my clay. 

26 

Since no one can the morrow guarantee. 
To-day this woeful heart make glad in thee; 

Drink wine in moonlight, O Moon, for the moon 
Will shine full often nor find thee nor me. 



24. L, 130. An allusion to the Oriental belief that man's fate is 
written in the markings of the sutures of his skull. The quatrain begins, 
"Saki, a cup!" 

25. C. 9. N. 7. L. 13. W. 6. P. 7. F. 91. "Parting words," 
line 2, "talkin," last monitions to the dead before burial. N. reads line 
3 for "find," "seek." 

26. B. 5. N. 8. L. 5. W. 7. P. 8. C. 5. F. 100. Addressed to 
the beloved. Moon, a face rounded like the moon is a Persian type of 
beauty. Line 1 N. P. and W. read "become surety for." Line 2, 
"woeful," L. reads "passionate," and B. "distraught." Ascribed also 
to Attar. 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

. 27 
Love, though a curse, is made so by God's sway, 
Then why should God His blight upon us lay? 

Since Good and Bad are creatures of His will 
Why for His slaves hath He a Reck'ning Day? 

28 

Cupbearer, bowl and wine by marge of dell 
Are Heaven enough for me and thee as well; 

Hear not from any talk of Hell or Heaven, 
For whoe'er came from Heaven or went to Hell? 

29 

Who brings thee to me rapt at close of day. 
Who leads thee from the harem on thy way? 

To him who in thine absence burns as fire. 
When leaps the wind, who brings thee to me, pray? 



27. L. 107. 

28. L. 37. (B. 45, variant. See 666.) 

29. C. 10. N. 3. L. 24. W. 2. P. 3. Also ascribed to Attar. 

10 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

30 
I know not of the Heavens' turning, aught, 
Nor save by spite of Fortune am I taught; 
And when I ponder on my own affairs, 
A lifetime passeth and yet I know naught. 

31 
Do thou charm every heart with wooing art. 
And gain at court a friend to take thy part; 
A hundred Ka'bahs equal not one heart, 
Why seek the Ka'bah? rather gain a heart. 

32 
Though hue and fragrance their delights bestow, 
My form as cypress, cheeks as tulips show, 

I know not wherefore my Artificer 
Arrays me thus in Earth's abode of woe. 



30. L. 113. 

31. N. 15. L. 36. P. 15. W. 18. C. 12. Ka'bah, chief building 
of the temple at Mecca, held in especial reverence by devout Moslems. 
Line 3, lit. "A hundred Ka'bahs (mere water and clay), equal not one 
heart." "With wooing art," line 1, lit., "In the quarter of wooing," 
W. reads " In the way of wooing," 

32. N. 13. C. p. 3 margin. L. 16. P. 13. W. 12. Line 4, "abode 
of woe," "tarab," generally meaning "mirth, joy," in some connec- 
tions, "sorrow." I think the true sense here is the latter. 

11 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

, 33 
Love is chief volume of the world of thought ; 
The burden of youth's song with Love is fraught ; 

Learn then this point that Life, in truth, is Love 
Oh, thou, who of the world of Love know'st naught! 

34 
Whene'er the cup of wine in hand I drain. 
And lost in drink to ecstasy attain, 

I do a hundred wonders of all sorts. 
Verse flows like water from my fiery brain. 

35 
To-day is but a breath, so drink pure wine. 
Once gone, thou 'It never find this life of thine. 

Be lost in drink both day and night, since thou 
Know'st well the world to ruin doth incline. 



33. L. 143. Line 2, lit. "The chief bait (distich) of youth's ode is 
Love." I have transposed lines 3 and 4. 

34. N. 16. L. 27. W. 19. P. 16. 

35. N. 17. L. 34. P. 17. W. 20. Lines 3 and 4 are transposed. 
Unmixed, "nab," pure in the sen.se of undiluted. L. reads for "Be lost 
in drink," 'Drink only wine." 

12 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

36 
The rose said ** Nothing with my face can vie." 
'* Yet as rose-water crushed at last am I ! " 

" Count every day you laugh as 't were a year ! ' 
The nightingale did fittingly reply. 

37 
What time of halting here falls to our share 
Yields nothing save anxiety and care; 

Alas ! that not one problem solved, we go 
And that a thousand griefs at heart we bear ! 

38 

From wine-house haunt came voice ere rise of sun, 
** Ho ! Tavern lounger ! Mad, besotted one ! 

Up! That the measure we may fill with wine,' 
"Or e'er for us the measure Fate o'errun!" 



36. L. 170. Line 4, "Fittingly," "Bi-zaban-i-hal," lit. "In the 
tongue of the case." See note to quatrain 554. 

37. N. 4. W. 3. P. 4. 

38. N. 1, L. 1. W. 1. P. 1. C.3. F. 2. First edition. Addressed 
to the cupbearer. Also ascribed to Hafiz and Sulman Sawagi. 

13 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

39 
Prosper, 'tis not because by thee 'twas planned; 
Fail, it is not thy lacking, understand; 

Bow thee to Fate, submit and live content, 
The world 's nor good nor ill at thy command ! 

40 

Be lovers aye enrapt, in fantasy, 

Distraught, dishonored, touched with lunacy; 

Sober, we fret and fume o'er everything. 
But drunk, say, *'Let whatever will be, be!" 

41 
For God's sake in this house of vanities 
With what hope sets his heart on wealth the wise? 

Whene'er he wishes to sit down to rest. 
Death grasps him by the hand and bids him rise. 



<l 



39. L. 71. C. 35. 

40. N. 9. L. 19. P. 9. W. 8. Line 3, lit. "Sober, in anger all 
things we consume." Also ascribed to Jalal uddin Rumi. 

41. N. 10. L. 17. P. 10. W. 9. C. margin Page 4. N. and P. 
lines 3 and 4 vary and are almost identical with same lines in quatrain 
46, apparently a blunder of the scribe. Also ascribed to Nagm uddin 
Razi. 

14 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

42 
That fair for whom my heart hath longing vain, 
Herself forlorn, some other doth enchain ; 

Where shall I seek a balm to ease my pain? 
Since my physician sick herself is ta'en? 

43 
The Koran though as ''Word sublime" read o'er. 
Men sometimes on its page, but not long, pore; 
There is a bright verse in the cup's lines, for 
Within men everywhere read, evermore. 

44 
If you drink not, at sots take no offence. 
Did God give grace, I would show penitence ; 

''You drink not?" You commit a hundred deeds 
That make my tippling boyish innocence ! 



» 



42. L. 43. C. p. 7 margin. 

43. B. 6. N. 11. L. 22. W. 10. P. 11. C. 4. B. line 3 for "a 
bright verse" reads "a text engraved," and N. and P. "a precept." B. 
and C, line 1, read "greatest word" for lit. "best word." 

44. N. 12. L. 2. P. 12. W. 11. C. margin p. 3. Lines 3 and 4, 
lit. "You boasting say 'I drink not wine!' a hundred deeds you commit 
to which wine is a mere boy (servant)!" 

15 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

45 
O, you, come hot from that soul world below, 
Amazed amid what Five, Four, Six, Sev'n show, 
Drink wine, for whence you come you do not 
know, 
Rejoice ! you know not whither you will go. 

46 

Where is the smoke of our fire here, O, pray ? 
Where profit of our stock-in-trade's array ? 

To him who ** Tavern-haunter " me doth call, 
O, where in truth here is the tavern, say ? 

47 
One wine draught to earth's kingdom doth compare 
And to a thousand lives, the lid of jar! 

The cloth with which one wipes wine from the 
lips 
Is worth the scarfs a thousand preachers wear ! 



45. L. 66. The five senses. The four elements. The six sides and 
the seven planets. C. 67 varies in lines 3 and 4 and reads freely "Drink 
wine! for knowledge of the soul ne'er whispers from the clay; Fret less 
o'er worldly things, for when once gone, you 've gone for aye." 

46. L. 11. W. 13. C. 7. A mystical quatrain. Doctrine of Maya 
or world illusion. 

47. C. 189. N. 191. L. 390. P. 190. "Scarfs," line 4, "teilsan," 
a hooded scarf or vestment worn by preachers. 

16 



1 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

48 

Why grieve so much at worldly envy, pray? 
Have you e'er seen the man who lives for aye? 

This one breath in your body is a loan, 
With which you should live ready to repay. 

49 
So far as lies in you cause no one pain. 
Lest any you inflame, your wrath restrain ; 

If you desire to have eternal peace. 
Though vexed, from wronging any man refrain. 

50 
O Thou, whose love and wrath made all that be. 
And Heaven and Hell through all eternity. 

Thou hast Thy court in Heaven and I have naught. 
Why then in Heaven is there no way for me? 



48. L. 69. C. 43. 

49. B, 4. W. 15. Line 2, lit. "Nor on your anger's fire set anyone." 

50. L. 6. W. 16. L. Bombay and Tabriz read lines 3 and 4 "Thou 
hast Thy court in Heaven and I have naught save wine; 'tis well that in 
Heaven there is no way for me." 

17 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

I '11 drink so much wine that its sweet bouquet, 
Shall when 'neath earth I go, rise from the clay 
That when some reveller passes o'er my dust. 
Drunk from my wine fumes he shall reel away. 

52 
The fish to duck in droughty season said, 
**What if this stream should run back in its bed?" 

'*When you and I are roasted," quoth the duck, 
"What matters stream, what mirage once we 're dead ? ' ' 

53 
To this lost haunt with wine and love we fare, 
And pledge for drink, soul, heart, cup, raiment there. 

And quit of mercy's hope and fear of law. 
We 're freed from earth and water, fire and air ! 



51. N. 14. L. 28. P. 14. W. 17. F. 92. C. 13. 

52. L. 31. W. 23. Line 4, mirage, "sarab," variant "sharab," wine. 

53. C. 14. N. 19. L. 29. P. 19. W. 22. (B. 7, variant.) See 
quatrain 709. C. W. & N. read line 1 "with wine and minstrel." C. also 
gives variant in margin, "we and wine and love in some ruin corner," and 
C, line 2, "Soul, heart, cup and raiment filled with wine dregs." The 
introduction in a quatrain of reference to the four elements is considered 
an elegance in Persian. It is called "Mutazadd." 

18 



b 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

54 
Since All is unsubstantial as the air 
And naught save loss and ruin; whatsoe'er 

Exists in this world, think doth not exist, 
And what on earth is not, imagine there. 

55 
From doubt to certainty is but a breath, 
A breath from unfaith's halting place to faith, 

This precious breath then do you cherish, for 
Life's sum is but a breath from birth to death. 

56 

O Heaven's wheel ! Ruin is thine ill behest, 
Thine ancient custom ever has opprest; 

O Earth! If e'er thy bosom they should bare. 
Full many a valued gem would deck thy breast! 



54. L. 33. C. page 21 margin. The Vedantic doctrine of Maya or 
the illusory nature of the universe. Lit. "Since naught of all that is in 
hand is but air, and since of whatsoever is there is naught but loss and 
ruin, think whatever is in this world is not, and imagine whatever is not 
in this world, is." 

55. C. 16. N. 20. L. 131. W. 24. P. 20. F. 49. F. 50. Line 4, 
lit. "The sum of our life is but a breath." 

56. N. 21. L. 42. W. 25. P. 21. C. 17. 

19 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

S7 
O thou, for me of all earth set apart ! 
More sweet to me than eye-sight, soul and heart ! 

There's naught more dear than life, O Idol! yet 
A hundred times more dear to me thou art! 

58 

This two or three days' lifetime passeth on. 
Like mountain stream or desert blast 't is flown ; 

Still there are two days that I reckon not. 
The day to come and that already gone ! 

59 
That precious ruby 's from another mine. 
That single pearl doth bear another sign. 

The thought of this and that is vain conceit. 
Love's tale hath other tongue than mine or thine. 



57. N. 2. L. 23. P. 2. N. and P., line 2, "Sweeter to me than my 
two eyes and soul." 

58. N. 22. P. 22. W. 26. Line 1, lit. One, two, three days, i. e., 
a few days, a day or so. See quatrain 653. C. 18, line 3, reads "while 
I live I fret not over two days." F. 57. 

59. N. 23. L. 132. W. 27. P. 23. A mystical quatrain. 

20 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

60 

When showers of Spring the tuHps' cheeks overflow 
Arise and to the wine-cup haste to go, 

For this green where thou sport'st to-day, per- 
chance 
On some near morrow from thy dust may grow. 

61 

Now 't is young manhood's season, I design, 
Since it makes glad my heart, to quaff my wine. 

Chide not the grape, though bitter yet 't is sweet, 
'T is bitter since it is this life of mine. 

62 

O Heart! since 'tis your fate that blood must flow, 
Your state each moment change must undergo ; 

What brought you. Soul, into my body, since 
The end of all your strife, is forth to go ! 



60. L. 104. C. 47. Line 4, lit. "To-morrow from thy dust will 
grow." 

61. C. 23. B. 11. N. 24. L. 133. W. 28. P. 24. B., line 3, 
reads- for "the grape," "me," and L. "because it bitter is, 'tis sweet." 
Also ascribed to Talib Amuli. 

62. N. 25. L. 98. W. 29. P. 25. C. 33. 

21 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

63 

To-day is thine, the morrow *s not for thee, 
Thy care for morrows naught but grief will be ; 

Nor waste this breath if thy soul 's not distraught, 
For what remains of life will quickly flee. 

64 

To wine submissive we the head incline, 
And pledge our souls its laughing lip to join ; 

So our cup-bearer turns the flagon's throat; 
So sparkles from cup's lip the soul of wine. 

Knock not in vain at each door in your way. 
With worldly good and ill contented stay, 

Whate'er the number on the dice of Fate 
From the Sphere's cup that falls, you needs must play. 



I 



63. C. 83. B. 12. N. 26. L. 41. W. 30. P. 26. C, line 3, ends 
"for the soul abides not." Line 4, lit. "For this life's remnant appears 
not to be permanent." L. and B. read "has no price." 

64. N. 18. L. 35. W. 21. P. 18. Ascribed also to Kamal Ismail. 
"Sparkles," lit. "comes up." 

65. C. 63. N. 27. L. 87. W. 31. P. 27. 

22 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



66 



From zephyrs when my heart thy fragrance takes, 
It seeks and grasps thy nature, me forsakes, 

And now there comes no thought to it of me. 
For thy scent ta'en, its own thy nature makes ! 

67 

The day and night were long ere thou or I, 
Or on its wheeling course revolved the sky; 
/ Ah, softly set thy foot upon this dust, 
'T was once the apple of some beauty's eye ! 

68 

The idol house is as the mosque, a shrine. 
And chime of striking bells service divine ; 

Gueber's belt, church and rosary and cross, 
Each is in truth of worshiping a sign. 



66. C. 89. L. 209. W. 118. Addressed to the beloved. My nature 
partakes of that of the loved one and like her becomes inconstant. Also 
ascribed to Abu Sa'id. This quatrain may also be interpreted mystically 
as addressed to deity, the absorption of the soul in the divine essence. 

67. C. 41. N. 29. L. 114. W. 33. P. 29. F. 20. 

68. C. 31. N. 30. L. 124. W. 34. P. 30. 

23 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

69 

Fate's marks upon the tablet still remain 
As first, the Pen unmoved by bliss or bane; 

In fate whate'er must be it did ordain, 
To grieve or to resist is all in vain. 

70 

Delights of both worlds revellers' bowls confine, 
The sun etern in moonlit cups doth shine; 

The secret hidden in creation's soul. 
If it you'd know, bides in a glass of wine. 

71 
I cannot to both good and bad unfold 
My secret, nor may long tales soon be told; 

I am unable to explain my state 
Or to reveal the secret that I hold. 



69. B. 31. C. 79. N. 31. L. 195. W. 35. P. 31. F. 71. B. for 
"upon the Tablet" reads "from the first," and for "As first," "continu- 
ally," and for "In fate," reads "On the first day." 

70. L. 161. . , 

71. C. 80. N. 32. L. 197. W. 36. P. 32. L.. varies slightly. 

24 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

72 

With us base coins we no more current keep, 
A broom our pleasure house of such doth sweep. 

A sage forth from the Tavern comes, and cries, 
"Drink wine, since for long ages ye must sleep." 

73 
To change the written scroll there is no power. 
And grieving only makes your heart bleed sore. 

Though anguish all your life consume your blood. 
You cannot add to it one drop the more. 

74 
Naught save submission to God's will below. 
Naught with mankind except pretense and show 
Avails. Yea, every ruse that wit could find 
I vainly tried, but Fate could ne'er o'erthrow. 



72. N. 33. L. 99. W. 37. P. 33. 

73. B. 54. Lit. "from the pen gone no other color comes." F. 107, 
second edition. 

74. N. 34. L. 211. W. 38. P. 34. 

2S 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

IS 
My kin 's my foe if he against me sin; 
The stranger proving faith becomes my kin; 

If poison help me, 't is my antidote, 
My poison then is baneful medicine. 

76 

No heart but bleeds at severance from Thee, 
For Thee distraught are all who clearly see; 

And though Thou heed'st not any man's desire, 
There 's none that longeth not with Thee to be ! 

Seek aye the kalenders' mad tavern train, 
Nor aught but wine, loved one and music's strain, 
Nor cup from hand nor jar from shoulder set; 
Drink wine, O sweetheart ! nor hold discourse vain ! 



75. N. 35. L. 225. W. 39. N. reads "regard as my foe." 

76. N. 36. C. 106. L. 223. W. 40. P. 36. Line 2, lit. "There's 
none who is clear sighted who is not distraught for Thee." 

77. N. 421. L. 754. P. 416. 

26 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

78 
When God of clay and water us did knead, 
At Fate's blows suppliants He made us indeed ; 

Still why forbid us wine? an empty hand 
Is all the prohibition that we need. 

79 
Those who the head did in Death's slumber lay 
Question and answer 'scape till Judgment Day. 

How long say '' None bring back news from the 
dead?" 
What news should they give back since naught know 
they ? 

80 

From mirth while I am sober, I am freed. 
When I am drunk good sense I sadly need ; 

There is a state 'twixt drunk and sober quite, 
I am its slave since 't is my life indeed. 



78. L. 4. 

79. C. 165. L. 342. C. for "slumber" reads "strife. 

80. N. 37. L. 52. W. 41. P. 36. C. 26. 

27 



mi 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

8i 

The framework of the cup He did unite. 
To break in rage how should God deem it right? 
So many comely heads, feet, hands and arms ! 
Shaped by what love, and broke in what despite? 

82 

Upon a roof I saw a man alone 

Trampling some clay in scorn ; in mystic tone 

The clod besought the man, " Be gentle, pray, 
For thou like me wilt be much trampled on." 

83 

As tulip in the Spring her cup lifts, so 

With tulip-cheeked fair, if chance serve, do you. 

And drink in gladness ere yon azure sphere 
Like whirlwind suddenly doth lay you low. 



81. B. 19. C. 57. N. 38, L. 40. W. 42. P. 37. F. 85. B. reads 
"The framework of the cup made for wine a drinker will not allow to be 
broken." B. and L. read for "hands and arms" "with finger tip." 
Also ascribed to Nasir eddin Tusi. 

82. B. 66. 

83. C. 29. N.40. L. 136. W. 44. P. 39. F. 40. Spring, "Nooriiz," 
lit. "New Year's day," The new year of the old Persian calendar, about 
March 20, the time of the vernal equinox. 

28 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

84 
I will arise intent pure wine to sip, 
My cheek's hue make red as the loved one's lip ; 
This busy mind — a fist well filled with wine 
Into its face I'll throw to make it sleep ! 

85 

Death's fear and mortal thoughts give life to thee, 
And if not thence grows Life's eternal tree. 

Since Jesus breathed new life into my soul 
Eternal Death hath washed his hands of me ! 

86 

Since Life's affairs move not to our desire. 
Of what avail our efforts, pray inquire. 

Here sit we haunted by regret for this. 
We came so late, and must so soon expire. 



84. B. 110. "Unnab," the lip of a mistress, also the jujube fruit. 

85. N. 39. L. 196. W. 43. P. 38. "Life," line 1, "hasty," the 
reading of L., which I prefer to "masty," of the other texts. The latter 
means intoxication, frenzy, lust. The fear of death and thought of mor- 
tality tend to perpetuate life. The Moslems believe in the healing power 
of the breath of the Messiah. 

86. C. 30. N. 41. L. 251. W. 45. P. 40. 

29 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

87 

Khayyam, O why for sin this grief and shame ? 
What gain in mourning thus yourself to blame ? 
He knows not gracious mercy who sins not. 
Why grieve? It was for sin that mercy came. 



A cloud veil shadows still the face of rose, 
Desire for wine my heart and nature knows. 

Give wine O sweetheart, for the sun yet shines. 
Go not to sleep, what time is 't for repose ? 

89 

For none is there a way behind the veil. 
Who tries to pierce its secrets but doth fail? 

The only place of rest is earth's dark breast, 
Alas, that far from short should be the tale ! 



1 



87. B. 23. C. page 24 margin. N. 43. L. 82. W. 46. P. 42. 

88. B. 96. N. 224. L. 439.^ P. 223. L. and N. read, line 2; "In the 
nature of my heart," and "Drink" for "give," line 3. B. reads, line 4, 
"place" instead of "time." I have transposed lines 3 and 4. Also attrib- 
uted to Attar. 

89. B. 29. C. 49. N. 44. L. 61. B. and C, line 4, read "Drink 
wine! for far," etc., for "Alas," etc. W. 47. P. 43. 

30 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

90 

In this vain world, our place of brief sojourn, 
Much have I searched, but this is all I learn : 

No cypress e'er can match thy form, no moon 
As radiant as thy face do I discern. 

91 
In convent, school, cell, church, whate'er the creed 
Are those in fear of Hell, and Heaven in need : 

But he who knows the mysteries of God, 
Within his heart sows not this fruitless seed. 

92 

The world thou see'st, all 's naught that thou dost see. 
And everything that 's said or heard by thee ; 

Thou coursest Heaven from pole to pole, 't is 
naught. 
Naught all thou hast in thy home's treasury ! 



90. N. 45. L. 178. W. 48. P. 44. "Vain," literally "faithless." 
The cypress is a Persian standard for elegance of figure. See note to Q. 
26. Addressed to the beloved. Lines 3 and 4 transposed. 

91. C.68. B. 24. N. 46. L. 181. W. 49. P. 45. Line 1, "church," 
etc., "kinisht" is a term applied indifferently to churches or synagogues. 
C. N. P. and W., line 4, "Within himself." 

92. N. 47. L. 185. W. 50. P. 46. Ascribed also to Aubadi Ker- 
mani and to Attar. 

31 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

93 
I dreamt that Wisdom came to me and said, 
'' In sleep for none joy's roses petals spread, 

In life why dost thou mimic death ? Arise ! 
For sleep thou must when 'neath earth is thy bed." 

94 
If as it is, the heart life's secrets knew. 
In death, 't would know the Heav'nly secrets too ; 
But now that with yourself you nothing know. 
To-morrow, from self parted, what know you ? 

95 
Upon that day when sundered is the sky. 
And darkened is the stars' bright galaxy. 

Upon the plain I'll seize Thy skirt and cry, 
'* For what sin. Idol, doom'st Thou me to die?" 



93. C. 72. B. 27. N. 48. L. 200. W. 51. P. 47. B., line 4, "thou 
must sleep for ages." L., line 4, begins "Awake!" the others "Drink 
wine!" 

94. C. 19. N. 49. L. 78. W. 52. P. 49. F. 53. Also ascribed to 
Hafiz. Line 3, lit. "Why do a thing that is akin to death." L., slightly 
variant. 

95. C. 34. N. 50. L. 70. W. 53. P. 50. "Plain," the Judgment 
plain. N. reads "Upon Thy skirt hem I '11 seize." See Koran, beginning 
of chapter 82. 

32 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

96 

Your secrets from all knaves you should conceal; 
Nor should you mysteries to fools reveal; 

Your hopes you should keep close from all man- 
kind; 
See you be careful how with men you deal. 

97 
Saki, since Time would shatter me and thee, 
The world's no resting place for thee and me; 

Yet so the wine cup stands between us, know 
We have the Truth at hand for certainty. 

98 

We 've spent life pleasure bent mid flowers and wine, 
Yet Fortune ne'er supplied one need of mine; 

Though drink hath not accomplished my desire. 
Ne'er doth the traveller to turn back incline. 



96. C. page 26 margin. N. 51. L. 49. B. 30. W. 54. P. 51. See 
q. 712. N. and P. vary in line 2 "nightingales" for "fools." 

97. C. 21. N. 52. L. 46. W. 55. P. 52. "Saki," a cup bearer. 

98. N. 53. L. 56. C. 27. W. 56. P. 53. 

33 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

99 

Set wine in my hand for my heart 's ahght, 
For swift as quicksilver this life takes flight; 
Know that youth's fire as water is, arise ! 
For Fortune's waking is a dream of night ! 

lOO 

Of this wine, drink, for it is life etern ; 

The source of youthful pleasure, it doth burn 

Like fire, yet drink, for to the Well of Life 
The briny tears of Sorrow it doth turn ! 

lOI 

Unfit to mosque or synagogue to go, 

God only of what clay I 'm mixed can know; 

Like sceptic dervish or like ugly bawd. 
No hope have I above, no faith below. 



99. C. 32. N.54. L. 63. W. 57. P. 54. Lines 3 and 4 transposed. 
N. reads "Rise" for "Know." Also ascribed to Atraf uddin Hassani. 

100. B. 90. N. 196. L. 472. Lit. Grief is turned to the water of 
Life. P. 195. N. and P. vary slightly. 

101. C. 22. N. 57. L. 109. W. 60. P. 57. N. and P., line 1, "Unfit 
for Hell or Heaven." 

34 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

I02 

My wont is to drink wine, live joyously, 
My creed, from doubt and dogma to be free; 

I asked the world-bride " Tell me what 's thy 
dower?" 
" My dowry is thy happy heart,'' said she. 

103 

Thy spirit to a house-dog's well compares, 
'T is empty clamor that for naught else cares; 

It has the tiger's rage and wolfish craft, 
'T is fox-like and it gives the sleep of hares. 

104 

Each tuft of green the river brims display. 
As down on angel's lip doth grow, you'd say; 
Ah, trample not this turf! for every blade 
Springs from some lovely tulip-cheeked one's clay! 



102. N. 56. C. 20. L. 48. W. 59. P. 56. Who so weds the world 
its greed and ambition, gives up happiness. 

103. C. 104. N. 58. L. 222. W. 61. P. 58. "Sleep of hares," 
false security. A bit of choice invective apparently directed at one of 
Khayyam's Orthodox enemies. 

104. C. 37. N. 59. L. 62. P. 59. W. 62. F. 20. L. varies word 
sequence slightly. Also ascribed to Nagm uddin Razi. 

35 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

105 
One wine draught's better than the realm of Kaius 
Throne of Kobad or heritage of Tus, 

More worth each sigh the lover breathes at morn 
Than hypocritic zealots' shouts profuse. 

106 

Though for my sin I bad and luckless prove, 
I '11 not despair as heathen who do rove 

From shrine, but on the morn I die from drink 
Be't Heaven or Hell I '11 wish wine and my love! 



107 

A corner and two loaves our choice make we. 
We 've put aside earth's pomp and vanity ; 

We have bought poverty with heart and soul, 
In poverty great riches do we see ! 



i 



105. C. 50. N. 61. L. 122. W. 64. P. 61. Kaius, second of the 
Kayanian dynasty and son of Kobad. Tus, a prince of the Peshdadian 
dynasty. 

106. N. 62. L. 67. W. 65. P. 62. 

107. B. 119. 

36 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



io8 



If to your tress tip I do violence, 

(To speak the truth and in no mystic sense.) 

Caught in your curl I see my heart distraught 
To play with my own heart is no offense. 

109 

When comes the final day for me and thee 
And pure from out the body then pass we, 

When we 're no more, from yon blue dome full 
oft 
The moon will shine on dust of thee and me ! 

1 10 

All that 's not grape juice better to eschew, 
Better one old wine draught than empire new; 

Cups hundred times than realms of Feridun, 
The wine-jar lid than crown of Kai Khosrau ! 



108. L. 569. 

109. L. 631. F. 100. C. 350, variant. 

110. B. 139. N. 382. L. 650. P. 378. Kai Khosrau, Cyrus. Feri- 
dun, sixth king of the Peshdadian dynasty. I have transposed lines 1 and 
.2. Line 1, lit. "From all that 's not wine the way out is best." 

37 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

1 1 1 

My drinking wine is not for pleasure's sake, 
Nor sin, nor law of God or man to break. 

An instant ecstasy to gain doth cause 
My revelling and me enrapt doth make. 

I 12 

With us the moments drag, thy lovers we. 
Beside themselves, thy mourners pine for thee; 
When to our window shall thy sun return? 
For more num'rous than motes thy longers be. 



113 
He 's doomed to Hell, they say, who drinketh wine,. 
A saying 't is the heart cannot divine. 

For if all sots and lovers go to Hell, 
Heaven will be empty as this palm of mine ! 



^ 



111. C. 51. N. 63. L. 92. W. 66. P. 63. Also ascribed to Rida 
uddin. 

112. L. 111. Addressed to the Beloved. 

113. C. 53. N. 64. L. 158. W. 67. P. 64. Line 4, lit. "To-morrow, 
Heaven," etc. F. 65. Second edition. Line 1, word sequence varies. 

38 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

114 

O Sweetheart! Heaven or Hell none e'er did see, 
The man returned from that world, where is he? 

Our hopes and fears, O Heart, arise from what 
Nowise save name or trace appears to be. 

Wrong in Shaban, they say, 't is to drink wine. 
Likewise in Rajab, 'tis a month divine. 

Since Allah and His Prophet claim these months. 
Through Ramazan I '11 drink, for it is mine ! 

116 

From far came one with body foul to see. 

The shirt he wore of Hell's smoke seemed to be; 

He broke my flask (may his life lack!), and then 
''As this fine wine, so boasting man! " said he. 



114. L. 495. 

115. C. 56. N. 65. L. 51. W. 68. P. 65. Ramazan is the fasting 
month, the Mahometan Lent. 

116. N. 385. L. 743. P. 381. L. 1883, begins "From a monastery," 
N. and P. conclude "He broke and spilt (that one who was neither man 
or woman) one flask of my ruby wine, a boasting man was he." The 
texts are somewhat obscure. The last line may be rendered also "It was 
the fine wine of a man like me." Apparently directed at the Mollahs and 
those who made a pretense of enforcing the law against the use of intoxi- 
cants, and who were generally corrupt. Boastful man's mortal frame 
compared to brittle glass, his life to wine soon spilt or quickly consumed. 

39 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

117 

Many 's the garb of being Heaven doth sew 
Each night, and then its breast doth rend in two ; 

Many 's the joy and sorrow Time each day 
Brings from the waters, bears to earth below. 

118 

Within the cup that flowing gem of thine. 
As liquid rubies, Saki, cause to shine. 

Place, boy, within my hand, a stoup well filled. 
That thus I may revive this soul of mine. 

119 

Dawn beareth night's dark curtain from the skies; 
The Magian wine bring quickly, Saki, rise ! 

Then up ! for thy sleep will be long enough ; 
Yea, open those sleep-stained narcissus eyes ! 



117. L. 477. C. page 67 margin. Saki, the cup bearer. 

118. N. 429. P. 424. Line 3 "well filled," lit. heavy. 

119. L. 383. 



40 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

I20 

The world 't is called, this ancient hostelry, 
The piebald resting place of Night and Day, 
The banquet by a hundred Jamsheds left, 
The tomb wherein a hundred Bahrams lay. 

121 

Now that Joy's roses fairest bloom attain. 
Why from the cup your idle hand restrain? 

Drink wine, since Time is a perfidious foe. 
It were hard finding such a day again. 

122 

Again the clouds come and the meads revive — 
Without red wine I 'd not an instant live — 

This turf that now is my delight until 
The grass from my dust joy to whom shall give? 



120. C. 87. N. 67. L. 203. W. 70. P. 67. F. 17. C. and L., line 
4, read ''palace" for "tomb." Jamshed and Bahram, ancient Persian 
Kings. The former said to have founded Persepolis, the latter the famous 
hunter King. See note to quo.train 248. 

121. C. 92. N. 68. L. 206. W. 71. P. 68. 

122. C. 75. N. 70. L. 191. W. 73. P. 70. F. 23. Also ascribed 
to Hafiz. 

41 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

123 

To-day 's Adina called in common phrase, 

Drink wine from bowls then, in the wine-cup's place; 

And if you drink on week days but one bowl. 
To-day drink two, for 'tis the chief of days. 

124 

That wine that 's apt in transformation, 
That 's plant form now and animal anon. 

Deem not its essence ever suffers change. 
Itself abides, although its forms be gone. 

125 

My soul the past regretting dwells in woe; 
The morrow's fears do cleave my heart in two; 

But once this my existence be set free. 
Fear, anguish and regret together go. 



1 



123. C. 69. N. 71. L. 182. W. 74. P. 71. Adina, or Friday, 
is the Moslem Sunday. The word is derived apparently from the Arabic 
"Adin," "most religious." Linel, lit. "To-day is 'Adina,' as it is called." 

124. C. 65. N. 73. L. 179. W. 75. P. 73. F. 51. C. reads "that 
moon" for "that wine." Mistake of scribe, possibly, writing "mah" for 
"badah." 

125. L. 540. 



42 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

126 

That one on whom you do so much rely, 
You '11 find a foe if you ope wisdom's eye. 

It were good in this age to choose few friends, 
Holding aloof from people's company. 

127 

O, fool! Naught is this image that man wears, 
And naught yon vault of nine parti-hued spheres; 

Be glad that in this house of life and death 
A breath we hang on, which as naught appears! 

128 

If there be minstrel, Houri, wine for thee. 
And purling steam beside the flowery lea. 

Desire not better, nor fire burnt out Hell, 
There is no Heaven beside, if Heaven there be. 



126. C, page 25 margin. B. 8. N. 75. L. 65. W. 77. P. 75. The 
baits in B. C. and L. reverse above order. 

127. N. 76. L. 186. W. 78. P. 76. Also ascribed to Nasir uddin 
Tusi. L. varies "Alas that this embodied form is naught, And yon circuit 
and roof together brought, Know that in this tangle of life and death, We 
hang upon a breath and that is naught." 

128. C. 71. N. 77. L. 184. W. 79. P. 77. 

43 . 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

129 

A graybeard, drunk, forth from the inn did fare 
Wine cup in hand, bearing a mat for prayer 

On shoulder. "Shaikh!" I cried, **How comes 
this state?" 
*' Drink wine ! " quoth he, "for worldly things are air ! " 

130 

When rapt, the bulbul to the garden flew. 
Rose faces, smiling wine cups met his view; 

Then sang he in mine ear in ecstasy, 
"Know, life once flown, can ne'er be found by you!" 

131 
Khayyam, a tent thy body typifies. 
Where its Sultan, the soul, a brief time lies. 

And Death's ferrash for its next halting-place 
Doth strike this tent when its Sultan doth rise. 



129. N. 78. W. 80. P. 78. F. 58. As if the sage recommended 
the ecstasy of the Bowl as a means of escaping worldly cares. 

130. N. 79. W. 81. P. 79. Also ascribed to Kamal Ismail. 

131. C. 97. N. 80. L. 100. W. 82. P. 80. F. 45. Word play on 
Khayyam and Khaimah, tent. Ferrash, attendant, carpet spreader or 
footman. Line 4, L. variant but synonymous. 

44 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

132 

Khayyam, who stitched tents of philosophy, 
In Grief's fire fallen, was burnt suddenly, 

Death's shears cut his life's tent rope; he was sold 
For nothing by the broker. Destiny. 

133 
In Spring-time if with one as Houri fair. 
To verdant bank with wine-jar I repair, 

Though bad some think it, I were worse than dog 
If thought of Paradise e'er enter there. 

134 
In Joy's cup sweet is wine of rosy ray. 
And sweet the sound of lute and tuneful lay ; 

The bigot lacking knowledge of the bowl, — 
'T is sweet when he 's a thousand leagues away ! 



132. B. 22. C. 52. N. 81. L. 74. W. 83. P. 81. F. Introduction. 
Word play on Khayyam and khaimaha, tents. Line 4 B. reads "Desire's 
broker." N. reads "The broker in haste." I follow L. I use passive 
form in last sentence. 

133. C. 60. N. 82. W. 84. P. 82. See quatrain 648, variant. 

134. N. 83. W. 85. P. 83. 

45 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

135 
Life far from wine and saki lacketh zest, 
And wanting Irac's flute notes 'tis unblest; 

I find howe'er the world's state I survey 
The sum of all is pleasure, naught the rest. 

136 

Since from your soul you separate, then know 
Behind God's secret veil you will go, too ; 

Drink wine! for you know not whence you have 
come; 
Be jocund ! for you know not where you go ! 

137 
Since go we must, of what avail to be ? 
To plod the path of vain expectancy? 

Since Fate no pause for counsel gives, to rest 
What boots it from that journey's thought care free? 



135. N.84. L. 190. W.86. P. 84. L. reads throughout "is naught," 
the others, "is not pleasant." 

136. B. 26. C. 76. N. 85. L. 192. W. 87. P. 85. B. begins line 
3 "Rejoice!" line 4 "Drink wine!" 

137. N. 86. W. 88. P. 86. 

46 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

138 

My life-long practice is to praise the Vine 
And round me have the instruments of wine ; 

Zealot ! if Reason guide thee here, be glad 
Thy master is a pupil apt of mine ! 

139 
If you will tread in Passion's steps, know you 
From me that thence you will go helpless too ; 

Remember who you are and whence you came. 
Consider where you go and what you do. 

140 

The sky, a vault, spans our worn lives below; 
Jihun a course from our strained eyes aflow ; 

Hell is a spark struck by our vain distress ; 
Heaven but an instant when content we know. 



138. C. 66. N. 87. L. 180. W. 89. P. 87. 

139. C. page 11 margin. N. 89. L. 79. W. 91. P. 89. Also ascribed 
to Abdullah Ansari and to Rumi. 

140. B. 33. C. 82. N. 90. L. 199. W. 92. P. 90. F. 67. Jihun 
is the river Oxus. "Vault," line 1, syn. "zone." B. reads line 1 for 
"lives," "body," and line 2 "is a trace of our strained tears." L., line 
1, "Heaven's sphere is but the image of our waning lives." N. and P. 
read "stained tears." 

47 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

141 

I 'm a rebellious slave, Thy mercy show ! 

Make my dark soul all Thy pure light to know ! 

If Heaven Thou giv'st us for obedience, 
A wage 'tis, where 's the bounty Thou 'd bestow? 

142 

I know not whether Allah fashioned me 
For Heaven or in a horrid Hell to be; 

Cup, lute and loved one by the garden side, 
All three my cash. Heaven's credit then for thee ! 

H3 
I quaff wine and from right and left come those 
Who say, *' Drink not wine which doth Faith oppose." 

By Allah ! since I know Faith's foe is wine, 
'T is right that I should drink the blood of foes ! 



i 



141. C. 102. N.91. L. 217. W.93. P. 91. Also ascribed to Abdullah 
Ansari. Literally "I 'm a rebellious slave, Where is Thy mercy? My soul 
is dark, where is Thy light and purity? If Heaven Thou giv'st us for 
obedience, It is a wage, where is Thy grace and bounty?" 

142. B. 40. C. 96. N. 92. L. 89. W. 94. P. 92. B., slightly 
variant, reads line 3 "Food, wine," etc. C, W., N. and P. read "agree- 
able Heaven," line 2. 

143. B. 38. C. 74. N. 93. L. 189. W. 95. P. 93. 

48 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

144 

The good and evil in man's mortal mould, 
The joy and grief that Fate and Fortune hold, 
Impute not to the skies, for reasoned well, 
More helpless they than thou a thousand fold! 

145 
Shields naught avail when by Death's arrows prest, 
And honors naught, silver and gold possest; 

As far as I view worldly things, I see 
Goodness alone is good and naught the rest. 

146 

The heart on little set save worldly gain, 
For life to be Regret's weak mate is fain; 

Besides the mind serene and free from care. 
All others only hold the seeds of pain. 



144. C. 55. B. 41. N. 95. L. 80. W. 96. P. 95. F. 72. N. and P. 
begin "Ail good," etc., and line 3 for "reasoned well," lit. "in reason's 
way," read "in love's way." 

145. N. 96. W. 97. P. 96. C. 64 begins "When the sword of Death 
is drawn." Also ascribed to Kamal Ismail and to Hafiz. 

146. N. 97. L. 219 W. 98. P. 97. "For life," line 2, N. and P. 
read "all his days. 

49 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

147 
No single day lost from his life hath flown, 
Within whose heart the seed of cheer is sown ; 
Whether he seeks obedience to God's will, 
Or cup in hand in ease doth choose his own. 

148 

When God of our existence shaped the clay. 
He knew our actions would be as His sway; 

Without His mandate was no sin of mine, 
Then why doom me to burn on Judgment Day? 

149 

A week thou hast drunk wine continually, 
Do not on Friday, then, put it from thee. 

In our creed Friday, Saturday, are one, 
God worship, from day worshiping be free. 



147. B. 42. C. 101. N. 98. L. 215. W. 99. P. 98. Lit. "seed of 
Wi.sdom's cheer." B. reads for "seed of cheer," "leaf of love engrafts." 
C. and L. read "seed of the study of wisdom." Line 4, lit. "Or chooses 
his own ease and raises the cup." B. reads "bodily ease." L. reads 
"ease of life." 

148. C. 78. N. 99. L. 194. W. 100. P. 99. F. 78. 

149. N. 100. L. 76. W. 101. P. 100. Friday, "Adina," the Moslem 
Sabbath. 

50 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Lord, Thou art gracious, grace 't is to be kind, 
The sinner forth from Iram why consigned? 

To pardon for obedience is not grace; 
In pardon for rebellion grace I find. 

See that the false world doth not thee ensnare. 
Sit not secure ! Fate's sword is sharp, take care ! 

If Fortune drop a sweetmeat in thy mouth. 
Swallow it not, 'tis poison mixed, beware! 

152 
Where'er there is a rose or tulip bed. 
From some King's blood it takes its hue of red ; 

Each violet leaf that springs from earth was once 
A mole that decked the cheek of some fair maid. 



150. N. 101. W. 102. P. 101. 

151. B. 44. L. 83. W. 103. C. page 26 margin. 

152. B. 43. C. 39 varies slightly. L. 110. W. 104. F. 19. The 
mole is esteemed by the Persian a mark of beauty. C. and L. read "In 
every desert whfere there is a tulip bed those tulips spring from the blood 
of a king." "Leaf," line 3, B. reads "shoot." 

51 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

153 
Drink wine, for it is life etern, in sooth, 
The fruitage of the season of thy youth ; 

'T is time of roses, wine and mellow friends, 
Rejoice the while, for this is life, in truth. 

154 

In our heart, Saki, is sown love of thee 
Which would keep hidden to eternity. 

Spread not from pride thy skirt 'gainst worthy 
prayers 
For from it our hand ne'er will loosened be. 

When they say Houris' nuptials pleasant are, 
** The juice of grapes is pleasant ! " I aver; 

Take this cash then and let that credit go, 
For pleasant is the drum beat, — heard afar ! 



153. B. 36. L. 97. W. 106. Line 2 "fruitage," lit. "profit." Line 
3 varies slightly but is substantially synonymous. 

154. L. 150. 

155. B. 34. C. 44. L. 95. W. 108. F. 13. B. reads "The paradise 
of Eden is pleasant with Houris," and in line 4 for "heard" reads 
"brother." C. reads "They say Heaven will be sweet with Houris and 
that world will be pleasant with joy and light." 

52 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

156 
My spirit whispered, *' I crave Heavenly lore ; 
Instruct me then I beg if thou hast power." 

Quoth I, ^'Alif will do, to him who knows 
One letter is enough, seek thou no more! " 

Since coming at the first was naught of mine, 
And I unwilling go by fixed design, 

Cupbearer, rise ! and quickly gird thy loins ! 
For worldly sorrows I '11 wash down in wine! 

158 

How long shall I make bricks upon the sea? 
Idolater and temple weary me; 

Who says Khayyam in Hell is sure to be? 
Sometimes to Hell, sometimes to Heaven goes he. 



156. B. 28. W. 109. F. 50. Alif, the first letter of the Arabic and 
Persian alphabets. He who truly knows the Alif knows all. A mystical 
quatrain, the Alif perhaps standing for Deity. In arithmetic the letter 
stands for one. Lines 3 and 4, literally "I said 'The Alif will sufi&ce, say 
no more! If any is at home {i. e. familiar) one letter is enough.' " 

157. B. 21. L. 94. W. 110. C. 42. F. 30. 

158. B. 18. C. 100. W. 111. See quatrain 657. How long shall I 
weary myself with idle ceremony? Build on nothing? 

53 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

159 
Spring's breath the rose's face doth sweetly woo, 
A charmer's face makes sweet the garden too; 

To talk of yesterday were sad. Rejoice! 
To-day is sweet ! of past days speak not you ! 

160 

What place is this for talk ? Arise, pour wine ! 
To-night thy pouting lips are food for mine. 

Pour wine rose-colored as thy cheeks ! For this 
My vow 's disturbed as is that curl of thine. 

161 

Beyond the skies from all eternity. 

My soul sought Tablet, Pen, Heaven, Hell to see; 

At length the master wisely said to me, 
** Pen, Tablet, Heaven and Hell are all in thee!" 



159. B. 17. C. 77. L. 193. W. 112. F. 37. First edition. "Gar- 
den, "B. reads "under the garden," i. e.^ "in the garden shade." Lit 
erally "Spring's breath upon the rose's face is sweet, In the garden plot a 
heart-enkindling face is sweet, Of yesterday that is past whatever you 
may say is not sweet. Rejoice! nor speak of yesterday for to-day is sweet!" 

160. B. 16. W. 113. Line 4 "disturbed," lit. "full of wrinkles." 
Apparently meaning that the good resolutions of the poet are as disturbed 
as the hair of the beloved. 

161. B. 15. L. 59. W. 114. F. 66. 

54 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

162 

Now o'er the earth that joyousness prevails, 
Each living heart the fields with yearning hails; 
On each branch is the show of Moses' hand. 
And every zephyr Jesus' sigh exhales. 

163 

The Khan's crown let us sell and crest of Kai, 
Turban and muslin for the pipe's soft lay; 

Then for one wine-draught let us sell at once 
The chaplet, courier of deceit's ^rray. 

164 

Out on that heart wherein love hath no sway 
Nor love-mad to the witching one a prey; 

The day that thou dost pass devoid of love. 
For thee is none more wasted than that day. 



162. B. 13. W. 116. F. 4. The show of Moses' hand "white as 
snow" is referred to in the Koran, chapter VII, Al Araf, in chapter XXVII, 
and elsewhere. The reference also occurs in Exodus IV, 6. A comparison 
of the bursting into bloom of the trees and the miraculous change in the 
appearance of Moses' hand on Mount Sinai, to dazzling whiteness. 

163. L. 536. C. 291. 

164. B. 10. L. 216. W. 117. Line 3 L. reads "without wine," 
"witching," lit. "heart-kindling." 

55 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

165 

Rejoice with wine for 't is as Mahmud's reign, 
List to the lute that sounds as David's strain ; 

Be glad to-day, for 'tis to be desired. 
Of past or future think thou not again. 

166 

Ten Powers and Nine Spheres, Eight Heavens 

enrolled. 
And Planets Seven of Six Sides He enscrolled ; 

From Senses Five, Four Elements, Three Souls, 

God 
In Two Worlds, man ! like thee but ONE did mould ! 

Though silver store the wise doth not avail, ^' 

And moneyless, earth's garden 's but a jail. 

With purse of gold the haughty rose doth smile. 
While empty-handed droops the violet frail. 



165. L, 198. C. 81. Mahmud of Ghaznah, conqueror of India. W. 
119. F. 60. 

166. L. 160. W. 120. The ten intellectual powers. Three souls, 
i. e., human, animal, and vegetable. 

167. L. 142. W. 122. Gold, line 3, the yellow stamens of the rose. 

56 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

i68 

As I the potters' quarter pass some day, 
I '11 think myself a pot 'mid pots' array; 

They yet may make a wine-jar I may drain 
Before to potters I present my clay. 

169 

Before the grave doth take its fill of me, 
Or e'er all my parts prostrate scattered be, 

O, wine, from flagon's tomb uplift thy head, 
My dead soul may become alive to thee ! 

170 

Stern Fate hath blood of many a mortal shed. 

And leaves of many a new-blown rose wide spread ; 

Of youth and beauty be not proud, O boy ! 
For many a bud's strewn o'er the garden bed! 



168. L. 573. C. 320. 

169. L. 377. 

170. L. 138. W. 123. 

57 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

171 

Save Truth, no law is fit to rule the wise 
No life is fit that His command defies; 

Whatever is, is as it had to be. 
And naught exists that should be otherwise. 

172 

This golden bowl, and vault of azure hue, 
Full oft have rolled and will the ages through; 

And likewise, we, impelled by turns of Fate, 
Like others come, and go like others, too. 

173 
Since God did set in order Nature's frame. 
Why should He cast it down in scorn and shame? 

If good, how comes it He doth break His work ? 
And if not good, why are these shapes to blame ? 



171. C. 25. L. 135. W. 124. "Hakk," truth, the Deity of the 
Mystics. 

172. L. 120. W. 125. 

173. C. 62. L. 103. W. 126. F. 88. "Scorn and shame," lit. 
"defect and diminution," "Kam u Kast." 

58 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

174 
Kindness to friend and foe, 'tis well to show, 
Then how will he whose nature 's good, ill do ? 

The friend whom you ill-treat your foe becomes, 
But kindness changes to a friend, your foe. 

175 
To Wisdom's eye what matters foul or fair. 
Or if the lovelorn silk or sackcloth wear ? 

What brick or pillow under lovers' heads? 
To Heaven or Hell bound what do lovers care? 

176 

Drink wine, for e'en in winter you may see 
The world's wits' wine sweat down their necks roll free. 
How say '' Broken 's your vow"? A hundred vows 
Than one wine flask far better broken be ! 



174. L. 88. W. 127. 

175. L. 55. W. 128. 

176. N. 451. L. 753. P. 445. 

59 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

. ^n 

The flowers blossom, Vintner, wine bring me ! 
Your hand withhold from acts of piety ; 

These few days ere Doom trap us, we '11 enjoy 
The red wine and the loved one's company. 

178 

We Ve traversed many a vale and desert plain, 
And did all quarters of the world attain ; 

But heard of none who came this road, the way 
The traveller goes, he comes not back again. 

179 

The Tavern prospers from our drinking wine. 
Blood of remorse be on thy head and mine. 

If I ne'er sinned, what then would Mercy do ? 
For Mercy but awaits my sin and thine. 



177. N. 405. L. 684. P. 400. C. 385. 

178. L. 57. W. 129. C. 28. 

179. L. 108. W. 130. C. 58. C. and L., line 4, "The grace of 
mercy," etc. 

60 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



i8o 



Lo, from the world what vantage have I gained? 

Naught. 
What profit of my life in hand retained ? 'Naught. 
I 'm Jamshed's bowl, but what when 't is crushed? 

Naught. 
Joy's torch am I, what when its light has waned? 

Naught. 

i8i 

When at life's brink, what's Balkh, what's Nishapur? 
What sweet or bitter when the cup hrinis o'er? 

Drink wine for many a moon will wax and wane 
Through changing months when we are here no more. 

182 

A cup of rubies pure give, Saki, pray ! 
That my heart's fire its liquid may allay. 

While Reason, boy, shall grasp my spirit's rein, 
Still on the skirt of wine my hand shall stay ! 



180. N. 103. L. 230. W. 133. P. 103. Jamshed's bowl, see q. 248. 

181. B. 47. C. 109, variant. N. 105. L. 229. W. 134. P. 105. F. 
8. See q. 663. N. reads "since life passes what matters sweet or sonr? 
And when expiring (lit. 'when the soul is at the lip')> what Balkh, what 
Nishapur." 

182. L. 683. C. 383. 

61 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

183 

'evotion profits not the devotee, 
For practice, Saki, proves it certainly; 

The flowing beaker fill, boy, quickly, for 
Whatever is, is from eternity. 

184 

He who earth, sky and heaven did array. 
Full many a scar on grieving hearts doth lay. 

And many a ruby lip and musky tress 
Hath buried in earth's treasure chest of clay. 

185 

Oh, fools, the world's allurements do not buy 
Since ye know her conditions certainly; 

Your precious lifetime give not to the winds. 
Haste to drink wine and to the loved one fly ! 



183. L. 681. C. 381. 

184. C. 115. N. 107. L. 234. W. 137. P. 107. Line 4, lit. 'Mn the 
drum of earth and the casket of clay hath laid." 

185. N. 108. W. 138. P. 108. 

62 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



i86 



O, my companions, nourish me with wine ! 
This amber-hued face make like rubies shine; 

When I am dead, wash me with wine, and shape 
My coffin planks from timber of the vine ! 

187 

The Day They girthed the coursers of the sk)^, 
The Pleiads decked and Jupiter on high, 

This lot of ours was writ in Fate's divan. 
Why blame us since Heaven wrought our destiny ? 

188 

Alas! the *'raw" oft well cooked viands eat. 
The ** incomplete " have worldly gear complete, 

And that mere boys and lackeys should possess 
The smiles of charming Turkish beauties sweet ! 



186. B. 69. C. 135. N. 109. L. 308. W. 139. P. 109. F. 91. B. 
begins "Take care to nourish," etc. 

187. N. 110. L. 286. W. 140. P. 110. F. 75. C. 126. "They," 
the Fates, Fate and Fortune. Also ascribed to Afzal Kazi. 

188. N. 111. W. 141. P. 111. "The raw," "khaman," plural of 
"kham," raw, green, uncooked, i. e., vulgar, coarse, uncultivated, used 
in contrast with "pukhtah," cooked. The quatrain does not lend itself 
readily to close verse translation. It runs closely: "Alas! that the 'raw' 
should have baked bread, that the imperfect should have complete 
worldly possessions, that the sweet glances of Turkish beauties, which are 
a spectacle for the heart, should be a possession that boys and lackeys 
have!" 

63 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

189 

He first in weakness me to being brought, 
And save amaze to life hath added aught; 

Unwilling we depart, and whence is this 
Our coming, being, going, we know naught. 

190 

When o'er my mind doth pass my sins' disgrace. 
From my breast's fire, tears trickle down my face. 

Yet meet 't is always when a slave repents 
The master should grant pardon of his grace. 

191 

What time before the pride of life had flown. 
It seemed to me few secrets were unknown; 

Since modest grown, I see in reason's way. 
My life is spent and naught is surely known. 



189. C. 199. N. 117. L. 324. W. 145. P. 117. F. 29. 

190. N. 118. L. 309. W. 146. P. 118. 

191. N. 113. W. 142. P. 113. See quatrain 664. Also ascribed to 
to Fakhr uddin Razi. 

64 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

192 

They who Ve become the flower of all mankind, 
Drive to the zenith the Borac of Mind, 

Yet in Thy essence' knowledge like Heaven's 

wheel 
Themselves, heads dazed, o'erturned and whirling, 

find! 

193 
Now that of pleasures only names remain, 
No^old friend left, and but new wine to drain. 

To-day when, save the cup, naught is at hand. 
Then from the flask do not Joy's hand restrain. 

194 

O, long the world will last when gone are we. 
Without a name or trace of thee or me ; 

Before, we were not, — and there was no void, — 
And after, when we 're not, the same 'twill be. 



192. C. 200. N. 120. L. 326. W. 147. P. 120. F. 26. Also ascribed 
to Rumi. Borac, the steed on which Mohammed made his famous noc- 
turnal ascent to Heaven. N. for "Borac" has "baran," passing. 

193. B. 53. N. 122. L. 296. W. 149. P. 122. L. transposes lines 
2 and 4 and I transpose lines 3 and 4. L. reads "Seize on the flask again." 

194. N. 123. W. 150. P. 123. F, 47. 

65 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

195 
Those who have worn the earth beneath their tread, 
Who seeking Him o'er both the worlds have sped, 

I never have been told that they this case 
Have as it is, aright interpreted. 

196 

Since God in Paradise hath promised wine. 
Why in both worlds is 't banned by law divine? 

Some Arab hamstrung Hamzah's camel once. 
For this our Prophet drinking did enjoin. 

197 

In rose-time, king, how should a man like me 
Forbear from minstrel, wine and company? 

The garden, wine-jar, lute-player better are 
Than Houris, Heaven and Kausar's stream will be. 



195. C. 175 and also C. page 30 margin. N. 124. L. 354. W. 151. 
P. 124. L. reads "I have ne'er been told night or day that," etc. 

196. N. 121. L. 295. W. 148. P. 121. Hamzah, a relative of 
Mohammed. N. reads line 2 "in this world." 

197. N. 437. P. 432. 

66 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

198 

If thy cheek idol be, idolatry 

And thy cup's drinking is more sweet to me, 

Love-drunken for that reason I 've become, 
Since than a thousand lives 't will sweeter be. 

199 

Alas ! that riches from our hands have fled, 
And blood of many a heart Death's hand hath shed. 
And from that world comes none that I may ask 
*'How fare the travelers who have thither sped?" 

200 

Strange all these nobles who high honors have. 
In pain and grief of their lives quittance crave. 

And yet they hardly reckon as a man 
Him who unlike them is not Passion's slave. 



198. L. 405. 

199. C. 182. N. 125. W. 152. P. 125. 

200. N. 126. W. 153. P. 126. C. page 31 margin, 

67 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

20I 

Oppressive from the first this wheel on high 
Will ne'er for any one his knot untie, 

Where'er a wounded heart it doth espy, 
To add another wound it straight doth try. 

202 

Would'st Life's foundations find secure to be? 
And in this world awhile the heart care free? 
From drinking wine sit not apart, and so 
Life's pleasures ever find vouchsafed to thee. 



4 



203 

With rose-hued wine in this abode below, 
O wise man, mix your earthy substance so 

That each mote of your dust They give the wind, j 
May wine-soaked to the tavern threshold go ! 



201. C. 204. N. 127. L. 252. W. 154. P. 127. Lit. "the knot of 
his affairs" L. reads "his tied knot," and in liiie 3 "one" for "heart." 

202. N.422. L. 734. P. 417. C. 416. C, line 3, reads "ruby wine." 

203. N. 369. P. 365. 

68 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

204 

Whene'er the violet her robe's color shows, 
And zephyr spreads the garment of the rose, 

He 's wise who drinks with silver-bosomed maids 
And on the stones the empty wine-cup throws. 

205 

To kiss thy foot, O lamp of my delight ! 
Than other's lip kisses is better quite ! 

My hand thy fancy's hem doth clasp all day. 
And my foot springs to meet thee every night ! 

206 

No room for joyance have hearts filled with woe. 
Thy loss makes hearts else glad, with grief to flow; 
With thee, I this world's bitter have made sweet. 
With thy loss' bitterness what shall I do ? 



204. N. 189. P. 189. 

205. L. 32. 

206. L. 15. 

69 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

207 

Since never may we grasp truth's certainty, 
One must all his life long a doubter be. 

Let me beware lest I set cup from hand; 
Where 's drunk or sober when in ecstasy ? 

208 

My food for soul and body wine will be, 
The solver of each hidden mystery ; 

Naught else I seek in this world or the next. 
One single draught contains both worlds for me. 



209 

Closed is the volume of my youthful day, 

And this fresh Spring-time gladness gone for aye ; 

Yon bird of joy named Youth, ah! I knew not 
When here you came nor when you flew away ! 



1 



207. L. 38. 

208. L. 10. 

209. N. 128. 



C. 54. 



L. 332. W. 155. P. 128. F. 96. C. 191. 



70 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

2IO 

With these few feeble folk the world who own, 
Who witless, knowledge think is theirs alone, 
Be calm, since those not asses such as they, 
By them are damned as skeptics every one. 

21 I 

With revellers joyous be the hostelry. 
And burnt the pious skirt of devotee ; 

That hundred-patch coat and blue woolen robe 
'Neath feet of dreg-drainers still fallen be! 

212 

How long the slave of scent and hue remain? 
How long all ill or good seek to attain? 

Though Zamzam's fount or from Life's well- 
spring, thou 
Within earth's breast at last wilt sink again. 



210. N. 130. The ruling class, often the arrogant creatures of chance. 
W. 156. P. 130. Also ascribed to Ibn Sina (Avicenna). 

211. C. 202. L. 338. N. 131. W. 157. P. 131. Hundred-patch 
coat, the tattered and patched garment of the dervish, the more patched 
the more highly esteemed. Blue is the color favored by Mollahs and by 
orthodox Mussulmans. Woolen, "souf," wool is the distinctive material 
worn by the Soufis, hence the name. L., line 4, for "fallen" reads 
"thrown," 

212. C. page 47 margin. N. 132. L. 268. W. 158. P. 132. How 
long be the slave of sense? Zamzam, a holy spring at Mecca. 

71 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

213 

Till cheering wine the Friend before me place, 
No kiss Heaven prints on either foot or face; 

They say ** Repent in time!" but how repent 
Till Allah of His goodness giveth grace ? 

214 

When I am dead my clay do ye make fine, 
That my state be to men a warning sign; 

With grape juice wet my body's dust, and shape 
Therefrom a cover for a jar of wine. 

215 

Khayyam, though of the blue that spans us o'er 
The tent be pitched and closed Discussion's door, 

The Everlasting Saki in Life's bowl 
Thousands of bubbles like Khayyam doth pour. 



^ 



213. C. 167. N. 134. L. 344. W. 159. P. 134. Line 2, lit. "A 
hundred kisses Heaven gives not," etc. 

214. C. 129. N. 136. L. 278. W. 160. P. 136. L., line 3, reads 
"my dust and clay," N. and P. "my dust." 

215. N. 137. W. 161. P. 137. F. 46. Note the word play upon 
"Khayyam," tentmaker and "Khaimah," tent. 

72 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

216 

Since Time will have no bounds, be of good cheer, 
The stars will spangle still the Heavenly Sphere ; 

With bricks that from your body they will mould 
Walls of another's dwelling, men will rear. 

217 

In wine ablution must in taverns be. 
For none a sullied name from blot can free; 
Its liquor pour, for none can now repair. 
So torn it is, our veil of modesty. 

218 

In hope a lifetime to the winds I gave. 
Nor one glad day of that time did I have ; 

From which I fear lest Fate give not enough 
Of time to take the justice that I crave. 



216. C. 184. N. 138. L. 330. W. 162. P. 138. N. and P. read for 
"time," line 1, "grief," which hardly makes a consistent reading, and C. 
reads "The world." 

217. C. 149. N. 142. L. 312. B. 65. W. 165. P. 142. Line 3, B. 
and L. lit. read "Be blithe! for," etc. Apparently a mocking illusion to 
the provisions of the Koran, permitting sand to be used for ceremony of 
ablution, before prayer, in the absence of water. 

218. N. 143. L. 320. W. 166. P. 143. C. 197. Also ascribed to 
Anwari . 

73 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



219 



n liJ 



:e's affairs one should on guard remain, 
And speech concerning worldly things restrain, 

Be as one lacking tongue and eye and ear. 
While ear and tongue and eye you still retain. 



220 



Whoso is now of half a loaf possest. 
Himself to shelter hath a little nest, 

Who slaves for none nor is^y any served, 
Let him be glad for he hath this world's best. 



221 



Naught adds my service to Thy majesty. 
And my past sin abateth naught from Thee; 

Then pardon and retract not since I know 
Thou 'rt slow to blame and swift in clemency. 



219. N, 145. L. 257. W. 167. P. 145. I transpose lines 3 and 4. 

220. N. 146. L. 273. W. 168. P. 146. C. page 50 margin. Line 
2 N. reads "dar bar;" the word "bar" has a wide range of meaning, I 
translate it "shelter." The quatrain begins "In this world whoso," etc. 
Also ascribed to Rumi and to Himmati Balkhi. 

221. C. page 34 margin. N. 148. L. 238. W. 169. P. 148. N. 
and P. synonymous, but slightly vary in line 2. 

74 



i 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

222 

The juice of grapes may my hand ever bear 
And my heart ever long for Houri fair: 

They say *'God give thee penitence!" He '11 not. 
Far be 't from me! Repentance I forswear! 

223 

Alas! that book and pulpit hands like mine 
Should touch, that hold the flask and cup of wine! 

Zealot! thou 'rt dry and I a lover moist, 
I ne'er heard wet would catch that fire of thine! 

224 

None in this world attains a rose-cheeked fair 
Till in his heart Fate driven the thorn he wear; 

See, in this comb until a hundred teeth 
Were cut, it ne'er might touch the loved one's hair! 



222. B. 64. C. 205. N. 151. L. 340. W. 172. P. 151. "Heart," 
line 2, "sar," lit. head; the Persian locates the seat of the affections vari- 
ously, the head, the heart or the liver. B. and L. transpose lines 1 and 
2, and B. reads "all the year" for "ever." 

223. N. 149. L. 236. W. 170. P. 149. L. varies "Alas! that what 
is poorer than wine they take!" 

224. C. 203. N. 150. L. 339. W. 171. P. 150. 

75 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

225 

When we depart the world is not distressed; 
Nor one pierced of a hundred pearls possessed; 

Alas! a hundred thousand subtle thoughts 
From people's ignorance die unexpressed! 

226 

Nor hot nor cold, the air breathes sweet to-day, 
And clouds have washed the rose cheeks' dust away; 

And ever to pale rose the nightingale 
*'Thou must drink wine!" in ecstasy doth say. 

227 

Ere you the blows of darkling Fate sustain 
Bid them to bring you rose-hued wine to drain; 
You are not gold, O heedless dolt, that men 
Hide you in earth and then dig up again! 



The dullness and 
Also ascribed to 



225. C. 156. N. 152. L. 378. W. 173. P. 152. 
indifference of the world stifles the voice of wisdom. 
Attar. 

226. B. 67. N. 153. L. 291. W. 174. P. 153. F. 6. B. reads for 
"in ecstasy" "in Pehlevi" (old Persian) . "Pale," lit. "yellow." 

227. B. 68. C. 128. N. 156. L. 277. W. 175. P. 156. F. 15. 
Line 1 B. reads "Ere on thy head Fate makes its night attack." The 
others read "Ere grief," etc. A reference to the practice of burying 
treasure in anticipation of a "Shabikun" or night attack of robbers. 

76 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



228 



H OMA 

^V My coming brought no profit to the sky, 
My going adds not to its majesty 

Or pomp, from none have my two ears e'er heard. 
Coming or going, the true reason why. 

229 

To heavy hearts is wine both plume and wing. 
Wine, beauty's mark to wisdom's cheek doth bring; 

All Ramazan no drop we've drunk; 'tis past 
The Festal night comes, Shawwal ushering. 

230 

No night but all bewildered is my soul. 

And down my breast tears big as pearls do roll ; 

My head from grieving is not filled with wine. 
For none when 'tis upset can fill the bowl. 



228. B. 51. C. 113. N. 157. L. 232. W. 176. P. 157. F. 47. N. 
and P. read line 1 "My birth brought no profit to the world," and line 4 
"The reason of my birth or death." 

229. C. 144. N. 159. L. 359. W. 178. P. 159. Ramazan, the 
fasting month, Shawwal, the month succeeding. "Plume and wing," 
i. e.y makes us both proud and light hearted. "Beauty's mark," lit. "a 
mole." The mole is esteemed a mark of beauty in many parts of the East. 

230. C. 178. N. 161. L. 260. W. 179. P. 161. 

77 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

231 

Why will you life in self-adorement spend, 
Or *'Is" and "Is not" strive to comprehend? 

Drink ! since Death presses at Life's heels, 't is 
best 
In dreams or drink it pass on to the end. 

232 

Deluded, some fall in their vanity. 
Some seeking Houris that are said to be. 

But when the veil Fate lifts, it will be seen ^ 

How far they 've fall'n from thy way, far from Thee. * 

233 
In Heaven, they say, dwell dark-eyed Houris fair, 
And that pure wine and honey will be there; 

If wine and woman we love here, 't is right 
Since all the same 's the end of the affair. 



231. C. page 40 margin. N. 165. L. 292. W. 183. P. 165. Line 
3, L. "Drink! For such is life that care presses," etc. Also ascribed to 
Mayud din Hamgar. 

^232. C. 193. N. 167. L. 279. W. 184. P. 167. Line 3, lit. They 
lift. 

233. C. 132. N. 168. L. 285. W. 185. P. 169. N. varies slightly 
in line 4. Also ascribed to Hafiz and to Majd ud-din Hamgar. 

78 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

234 
My soul in this net drawn, time and again 
Shamed of her earth-mate, to be free is fain ; 

Methought to break this jail, did not my foot 
Law's stirrup holding, from the stones restrain. 

235 
Wine pour, to dance a mountain 'twould incline; 
Lacking indeed is he who lacketh wine ; 

It is a soul to animate this frame ; 
How would you bid me then the cup decline? 

236 

They 've seen the moon of Ramazan, they say ; 
Then for a month from drink I '11 turn away ; 

At next Sha'ban's end so much wine I '11 pour 
That drunk they '11 find me till the Festal day ! 



234. N. 171. W. 187. P. 171. "Earth-mate," i. e., the body. 

235. C. 159. N. 170. L. 380. W. 186. P. 170. 

236. C. 173. N. 172. L. 352. W. 188. P. 172. Sha'ban, the 
month preceding Ramazan, the fasting month. Shawwal, the month 
succeeding Ramazan, was ushered in by feasting. The poet proposes to 
do away with the inconvenience of abstaining throughout the Fast by 
remaining drunk from Sha'ban's end to the beginning of Shawwal. 

79 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



237 
Life's vintage, now mere dregs, now clear doth run; 
We sackcloth wear, and silken garb anon ; 

All this is of small moment to the sage. 
Of slight account since Death is coming on. 

238 

None the eternal secrets e'er can trace. 
Nor one step, foot beyond his nature place; 

From pupil to the master I behold 
Those born of woman, weak in every case. 

239 

The world crave less and live contentedly, 
Of earthly good and evil cut the tie ; 

Be light of heart as are these circling skies, 
A little while they stay, and then pass by. 



4 



237. N. 174. W. 189. P. 174. 

238. C. 153. B. 72. N. 175. L. 357. W. 190. P. 175. B. reads 
line 3 "when I look." 

239. B. 73. C. page 40 margin. N. 176. L. 256. W. 191. P. 176. 
B. at line 3 reads "Take wine in hand and the charmer's curl, for suddenly 
all passeth away, and these few days last not." F. 41. 

80 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

240 

There will be at the Rising, they pretend, 
A parleying, and hasty our dear Friend; 

From perfect goodness naught save good can come. 
Be light of heart, 't will be well in the end. 

241 

A thousand devotees one cup of wine 

Is worth and one wine-draught the realm of Chin, 

Its bitter is a thousand sweet lives worth. 
What sweeter on the face of earth hath been ? 

242 

O, Soul, seek not the frail ones' company. 
And cease with love affairs engrossed to be. 

Frequent the doorways of the Dervishes, 
Then the Elect may make a choice of thee. 



240. C. 136. N. 178. L. 316. W. 193. P. 178. "Rising," i. e., 
the Resurrection. C. reads for "a parleying" "an investigation." 

241. B. 85. C. 148. N. 194. L. 310. "Devotees," literally "men 
with faith." Chin, China. B. reads as follows: "One wine cup is worth 
a hundred hearts and faiths (line 2 as above). "Save ruby wine on 
earth's face is not any bitter thing worth a thousand sweet lives." P. 
193. N. and P. read as B. in line 1. C. reads, lines 3 and 4, "On Earth's 
face what is sweeter than wine, whose bitter is worth a thousand sweet 
lives?" 

242. B. 55. W. 505. 

81 



the; quatrains of 

From thought of wealth or want the heart to free, 
And two and seventy Creeds' perplexity, |jl 

Drink wine, for take one draught, a thousand ills 
It cures, forswear not then its alchemy. 



244 

To drink wine though forbidden, yet this ban 
Is as to measure, company and man; 

These three conditions being right, then say, 
If wine a wise man cannot drink, who can ? 

245 

A one-maund cup of wine I '11 brimming make. 
Yea, of two cups of rich wine I '11 partake; 

First, Faith and Reason I will thrice divorce. 
Then the Grape's daughter for my bride I '11 take. 



243. B. 77. C. 142. N. 179. L. 305. W. 194. P. 179. F. 59. L., 
line 1, for "the heart" reads "thyself," "Draught," line 3, N. W. and 
P. read "measure." Also ascribed to Majd ud-din Haragar. 

244. B. 78. C. 151. N. 180. L. 243. W. 195. P. 180. Line 3 C, 
N., P. and L. for "three" read "four" and omit "say." 

245. C. 152. N. 181. L. 267. W. 196. P. 181. F. 55. A triple 
divorce is irrevocable. The Grape's daughter, "Diikhtar-i-raz," = wine. 
Line 3, lit. "divorce I '11 give," C. and L. read "divorce I '11 pronounce." 

82 



OMAR KHAYYAM^ 

246 

Cupbearer, since to Life there is no guide, 
Better than wine and cup there 's naught beside. 

Of old, it is our friend, for no such fire 
Doth in Life's stream or Kausar's fount abide. 

247 
The sigh that to no friend escapes from me, 
The word that to no mate could spoken be. 

If I found any heard excepting Thee, 
In truth, I should expire instantly. 

248 

Than Jamshed's bowl thy cheek, boy, is more fair; 
Than Life Etern thy way's Death better were; 
To every dust mote of thy foot that lights 
My face, ten myriad suns could not compare ! 



246. L. 164. Kausar, a river of nectar in Paradise. 

247. L. 577. A mystical quatrain, addressed to Deity. 

248. L. 166. The bowl or cup of Jamshed, was a vessel which re- 
flected at that monarch's will all things past or to come, hence the cup of 
knowledge, also applied to the wine cup. 

83 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

249 

toy, ol that wine that is my faith and soul, 
A cup ! for 't is of my sweet life the whole; 
If it is not your wont to quaff its juice, 
'Tis mine with sweetheart fair to drain the bowl. 



25 



o 



What time the rising dawn's blue light doth shine. 
Your hand should grasp the goblet of pure wine ; 
They say the truth tastes bitter in the mouth. 
It must be ''Truth" is wine then, by this sign. 



251 

'T is time when earth its tender verdure wears. 
And Musa-like froth on the bough appears, 

The clouds open their eyes in vernal showers. 
And Jesus' breathing ones the earth uprears. 

249. L. 168. Line 2, lit. "A cup fill, for it is my sweet life." 

250. C. 124. N. 185. L. 282. W. 200. P. 185. "Azrak," blue or 
bright, shining. F. 3. L. reads lines 3 and 4 "They say that truth is 
bitter in all states. It must be in all states that truth is wine." 

251. C. margin p. 46. B. 80. N. 186. L. 272. W. 201. P. 186. 
F. 4. Musa, Moses. See note to quatrain 162. "Kaf," froth, also 
meaning hand, here meaning white alluding to the miracle to Moses' hand 
on Mount Sinai. Jesus' breathing ones, i. e., the sweet-scented flowers 
whose breath is compared to that of the Messiah, famed throughout the 
East for its healing power. B. for "verdure" reads "zephyrs," line 1, 
lit. "When earth is adorned by verdure." Line 2 in B. is line 4 in the 
others. Line 2, lit. "And Moses like (white) as froth from the boughs 
hands appear." C. "In hope of rain clouds open." Line 3, lit. "From 
the eyes of the clouds (eyes or) fountains open." The line varies slightly 
in different texts. 

84 



i 

i 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

252 

Thy body burden not with toil and pain 
White silver store or yellow gold to gain; 

The foe will feast on thee, then feast with friends 
Or ever thy warm breath wax cold again. 

253 

Each draught the cupbearer pours on the clay 
Its fire of grief in some eye doth allay ; 

Praise Allah that you see wine is a juice 
That takes your hundred pangs of heart away. 

254 
Friends, when in concord ye meet and whene'er 
The cupbearer the Magian wine doth bear. 

Delighting in each other's charms, O, see 
A helpless one ye think on in your prayer ! 



252. N. 187. W. 202. P. 187. Also ascribed to Firdausi. 

253. B. 81. C. 155. N. 188. L. 367. W. 203. P. 188. N.,P. and 
W. read for "on the clay," "in the cup." L. reads line 2 "in my eye." 
F. 39. 

254. B. 84. N. 192. L. 290. W. 205. P. 191. F. 101. "A help- 
less one," i. e., Omar, himself. 

85 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Not once has Heaven been kind in my affairs, 
Nor in my favor with sweet voice declares. 

No day breathe I in joy that I 'm not given 
Into the clutches of a hundred Cares. 

256 

If in two days a loaf of bread one gain. 
And water from a broken jar can drain. 

Why take commands of one less than yourself? | 
Or why to serve one like yourself remain ? 

While Moon and Venus circle in the sky. 
Better than ruby wine I naught espy; 

I wonder at the wine-sellers, for they, 
Better than that they sell what will they buy ? 



255. C. 198. Lines 2 and 4 transposed. N. 193. L. 321. W. 206. 
P. 192. Line 3, L. variant but substantially synonymous. Also ascribed 
to Rumi and Kamal Ismail. 

256. C. 169. N. 462. L. 346. W. 207. Line 3, C. and L., variant 
but synonymous. 

257. C. 171. N. 463. L. 350. W. 208. F. 95. See quatrain 656. 
C. Line 2, reads for "Better," "Sweeter." 

86 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

258 

Those strong in virtue and of learning deep, 
Whose merits joined lights for their fellows keep 

Have found no way out of this darksome night, 
They 've told their tale, and then gone back to sleep. 

259 
The heavens above from clouds shower eglantine, 
You 'd say that blossoms rained upon the green. 

In lily cups I '11 turn rose-colored wine. 
Since, violet-hued, the clouds pour jessamine. 

260 

My aged head by love of thee is caught. 

Else why my hand and cup together brought? 

My sweetheart broke the vows of reason born. 
And Time hath torn the garment Patience wrought. 



258. C. 111. N. 464. L. 261. W. 209. F. 65. L., line 2, reads 
for "Whose merits joined," "In the revelation of whose learning." 

259. B. 74. W. 211. Spring's blossoming. The Calcutta MS. has 
a quatrain which this suggests, C. 376, and which reads: "When every 
plant uprears its tender head, O Saki! As in rose-water are rose petals 
spread, O Saki! When graceful jasmine blossoms on the thorn, O Saki! 
How were it right that we repentance made, O Saki?" 

260. B. 61. W. 212. F. 94. 

87 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



^^ 261 

I 'm not the man whom death doth fill with fear, 
That half than this to me hath more of cheer ; 

To me life is a loan that God hath made. 
And I '11 repay it when the time is here. 

262 

The stars that are the dwellers of these skies, 
Occasion much conjecture to the wise, 

See you lose not the end of Wisdom's thread. 
For those who rule are dizzied with surmise. 



I 



263 

The stars that Heaven for a while adorn. 

That come and go and back with earth are borne. 

Now on Heaven's skirt, now in the pouch of earth. 
While God dies not shall aye anew be born. 



261. B. 59. C. page 54 margin. L. 253. W. 213. Kali, line 2, i. e., 
death. Time from birth being divided into two halves, "Being" and 
"Non-being," or death. L. has "bim," fear, instead of "nim," half. 

262. B. 58. L. 270. W. 214. Line 1, lit. "The bodies that are the 
dwellers of this palace." 

263. B. 56. L. 244. W. 215. Line 2, lit. "And back with the 
world come." L., line 3, for "in the pouch" reads "beneath." Line 4, 
lit. "Are a people that while," etc. Line 4 in L. reads "Are a people 
that with the God of Time are at rest." Line 1, "The stars," lit. "Those 
who." 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

264 

Those who are slaves of wit and subtle thought, 
Fretting o'er ^'Is" and **Is not" come to naught. 
Go, with the wise drink grape-juice, for these 
fools 
From unripe grapes to raisins have been brought. 

265 

The sense which bids you Pleasure's path pursue, 
Whispers a hundred times a day to you, 

'* This moment have in mind, for you 're no plant 
Which when they mow it down, springs up anew! " 

266 

Now Ramazan is past, Shawwal is here. 
The time of greeting, feasting, song is near ; 

'T is time when skins on shoulders they cry out, 
"Behold the porters one by one appear!" 



264. B. 50. L. 262. W. 216. F. 54. Line 3 for "with the wise" 
B. reads "thou fool!" 

265. B. 49. C. 121. L. 264. W. 217. F. 97. Line 3, lit. "this 
moment of life" C. and L. read "This moment of companionship." 

266. B. 158. W. 218. "Khikha," skins to carry wine or water. 
"Pusht, pusht," lit. "back, back," here evidently a contraction of the 
phrase "Pusht ba pusht" generation to generation, one after another. 
F. 90. 

89 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

267 

All our dear friends have from our handclasp gone, 
Beneath the foot of Death fall'n one by one ; 

They drank with us two or three rounds before 
At Life's feast and enrapt lie overthrown. 

268 

When in the mould my clay They mixed of old, 
With it They mingled evils manifold; 
Better than this I am I cannot be, 
For as I am They poured me in the mould. 

269 

Those joyous ones who of old wine drink deep. 
And they who in the prayer-niche vigil keep, 

Not one is on dry land, but all at sea, 
ONE only wakes, the others are asleep ! 



267. C. 160. L. 381. W. 219. F. 22. "Enrapt," "mast," drunk, 
overcome, enrapt. 

268. C. 176. L. 355. W. 221. They, the Fates, or Fate and For- 
tune. F. 79. "In the mould," lit. "from the crucible." C. reads line 
2 "They mixed a hundred wonders with me." 

269. B. 48. L. 287. W. 222. Variant but synonymous. 

90 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

270 

My seed They 've with Non-being's water sown, 
And from the iire of grief my soul has grown, 

And like the wind about the world I 'm blown, 
Till They at last my scattered dust have strewn. 

271 

Since in this age from wisdom is no gain 
And save the thoughtless none Life's wine-cup drain, 
Bring forth that juice which reason doth efface, 
So Fortune us to favor will be fain. 

272 

When the Soul's mistress doth depart this home. 
Back to its origin each part doth come; 

This lute of Life's four silken strings then from 
The stroke of Fortune's bow untuned become. 



270. L. 341. W. 223. They, /. e., the Fates. 

271. L. 337. W. 224. C. 201. 

272. L. 306. C. 143. W. 225. Line 3, "four silken strings," the 
Four Elements. 

91 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

. 273 
Of yon Sphere telling varied tales they keep, 
These fools who thread the pearl of science deep. 

Since ne'er expert in Heaven's mysteries. 
They wag the chin and then return to sleep. 

274 

These folks are sorry asses all the same, 
Skins full of emptiness like drums, a name 

Acquire, if you would have them kiss your foot. 
For they are all the very slaves of fame. 

275 

On that Day when reward in each degree 
Will be. They as thy wisdom will rate thee; 

For goodness strive, for on the Judgment Day 
Thy rising will be as thy quality. 



273. C. 140. 

274. L. 303. 

275. L. 276. 



L. 302. 
W. 227. 
W. 228. 



(W. 226, 
C. 141. 
C. 127. 



Variant.) See quatrain 643. F. 65. 



92 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

276 

The Bowl-maker who our head-bowls hath made, 
Thus doing His own qualities portrayed; 

One He inverted o'er our being's board 
And to that head-bowl passion He did add. 

277 

My attitude toward Thee I would make plain, 
And that I will abridge in verses twain : 

" For love of Thee in dust I '11 lay my head. 
That w^ith Thy love I may arise again." 

278 

The heart a lamp is, lit at beauty's cheek. 

And though by grief consumed new life doth seek, 

Like flame with moth the heart is, one should say. 
For thus the saw, **With burning, fire doth take." 



276. L. 269. W. 229. C. page 34 margin. 

277. L. 254. W. 230. C. page 53 margin. 

278. L. 242. W. 231. 



93 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

279 

Companions, when ye meet as ye agree, 
Your friend ye needs must pledge in memory; 

And when together wholesome wine ye drink, 
And my time comes, turn down a glass for me. 

280 

At first such grace and favor why did*st show? 
Delights and blandishments on me bestow? 

And now thou strivest to afflict my heart; 
What wrong I may have done I fain would know. 

281 

Those hither come that in ambition vie. 
Distraught by drink, pleasures and luxury. 

The goblet drain and silent in the earth 
Wrapt in the sleep of Naught together lie. 



279. B. 83. V^^ 234. F. 101. 

280. B. 63. W. 235. 

281. L. 246. W. 237. C. 118. 



94 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

282 

Of Fortune's bounty thy full portion seize, 
Take cup in hand, on Joy's couch sit at ease ; 

God recks not of obedience or sin. 
Take of the world thy fill, as thou dost please. 

283 

Since Heaven increases nothing but our pain, 
And gives naught that it takes not back again. 

The unborn ne'er would hither come if they 
But knew what we at Fortune's hands sustain. 

284 

Why of existence have a care, O, friend ? 
With idle thought thy heart and soul to rend ? 
Live blithely, let the world glide merrily. 
They ne'er consulted thee about the end. 



282. C. 210. L. 401. N. 129. W. 239. P. 129. Line 2 N. and P. 
for "in hand" read "to the lips." 

283. N. 195. L. 398. W. 240. P. 194. C. 209. 

284. C. page 55 margin. N. 197. L. 400. W. 241. P. 19^. 

95 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

285 

Yon dwellers in the tombs are dust and clay. 
Escaped from self, of all things witless they ; 

Their every atom scattered, wide, alas ! 
What a mirage they make till Judgment Day ! 

286 

O, Heart, suppose all worldly goods thy dower. 
Adorned with verdure be thy pleasure's bower. 
Then on that verdure like the dew at night 
Resting, and vanished in the morning hour! 

287 

Heed not Traditions nor the Law Divine, 
Withhold from none the morsel that is thine, 

None slander, nor afflict thou any heart, 
I warrant thee the world beyond, — bring wine ! 

285. C. 207. N. 198. L. 412. W. 242. P. 197. C, N., L. and P. 
change above order of lines and (line 4 above) read "sharab," wine, for 
"sarab," mirage. "Alas! what is this drink that escaped from self and 
witless of all things keeps them till Judgment Day?" 

286. L. 420. W. 243. F. 16. C. 223, variant. See quatrain 614. 
C. reads as follows: "O, Heart, suppose all worldly goods be thine at 
will, The whole world, pole to pole, as thou dost wish; And then like 
snow upon the desert's face, resting some few days, and then gone, 
suppose !" 

287. B. 91. C. 218. N. 200. L. 410. W. 244. P. 199. Lines 2 and 
4 in L. are transposed, and N. and P., line 1, read: "Of religious observ- 
ances do only those of God's commandment." L., line 3, "Plot not 
against the blood or goods of any one." 

96 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



288 



Through Fortune's shifts that for the vile doth care, 
A hundred griefs and pains through life I bear, 

Like heart-closed bud within life's rosary. 
Like time-scarred tulip that doth blood spots wear. 

289 

Youth is the better time in which to taste 

Pure wine by comely striplings' presence graced; 

As this vain world was ruined by a flood, 
'T is best in it be drunk, by wine laid waste. 

290 

The world 's astir and mad in quest of Thee, 
Bare before Thee stand wealth and poverty; 

To all Thou speakest but each ear is deaf. 
With all art present but no eye can see. 



228. N. 201. W. 245. P. 200. 

289. N. 202. W. 246. P. 201. Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

290. N. 204. W. 247. P. 203. Richard II act III, scene 2. "Stand 
bare and naked, trembling at themselves?" 

97 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

291 

With churl ill-bred and stupid best beware 
You drink not, for he'll bring a deal of care; 

The night of joy, noise, drinking, brawl, next day 
His headaches and excuses you will bear, 

292 

Since there 's no 'scaping what the stars decree, 
Fret not so much in seeking — vanity; 

Nor on thy heart so great a burden place, 
To leave it and pass on the end will be. 

293 

Drink pure wine, Soul, when roses scent the air, 1 
Toasting the graceful, heart-alluring fair; ' 

" Wine is the Grape's blood, and 't is lawful made; 
Drink my sweet vintage!" doth the Grape declare. 



291. C. 212. N. 206. L. 395. W. 248. P. 205. N. and P. read 
"dark night" for "night of joy." 

292. C. 213. N. 207. L. 396. W. 249. P. 206. 

293. C. 220. N. 208. L. 418. W. 250. P. 207. N. and P. read 
line 1 "Drink wine, O Soul, pure and clear!" 

98 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

294 

Are you depressed ? Then take of bang a grain, 
And next a pint of rose-hued grape-juice drain. 
*' Sufi you are? Nor eat of this nor that?" 
Go ! Feast on stones, since stones your fare remain 

295 
In the Bazaar I saw but yesterday 
A potter pounding hard a lump of clay ; 

The clay cried out to him in mystic tones, 
** I once was like thee, treat me gently, pray! " 

296 

One wine-draught 's better than the realm of Jam, 
The cup's perfume than food of Miriam. 

Ah ! Sweeter toper's sighs at break of dawn 
Than songs of Bu Sa'id and Bin Adham ! 



294. N. 210. W. 251. P. 209. Bang, hashish. "Feast on stones!" 
an expression of contempt, perhaps equivalent to "Get out!" The word 
"khurdan" means to consume, eat or drink. 

295. B. 89. C. 219. N. 211. L. 411. W. 252. P. 210. F. 37. 
"Lump," line 2, B. and C. read "the fresh clay." 

296. C. 214. N. 215. L. 397. W. 253. P. 214. Jam, King Jam- 
shed. Miriam, the Virgin Mary. Bu Sa'id, a Sufi poet. Bin Adham, 
the minstrel king of Balkh. C. and L., line 1, read "The jar lid 's better 
than the realm of Jam." 

99 



It 

THE QUATRAINS OF 

297 ^ 

Hid in the circle of the Heavenly vast, 

A cup that all must drink in turn is placed; 

Sigh not when thy time comes, but gladly drink. 
For then it is thy turn the cup to taste ! 

298 

Though thy years two, three, or ten hundred be, 
From this old house They'll helpless carry thee; 

Then be thou king or beggar of bazaar. 
These both at the same price the end will see. 

299 ^ 

Abandon wife and child if Him you 'd find, 
From self cut bravely bonds to self that bind ; 

The things of earth but clog you on your way. 
How fare with them ? Free them and leave behind ! 



297. C. 216. L. 408. W. 254. F. 43. The cup of Death. L. 
transposes lines 2 and 4. 

298. L. 419. W. 255. 

299. B. 86. L. 414. W. 256. B. has line 2 "Bravely thy doorway 
move (cut off) from self and kindred." 

100 



OMAR IQHAYYAM 

300 

O, Heart! Since earth's truth is illusion vain, 
Why so distressed in lasting grief and pain ? 

Bear trouble ! Bow to Fate ! Once gone the Pen 
For thee will never trace the scroll again ! 

301 

Where 's one returned of all who went before, 
To us the long road's secret to tell o'er? 

Take care in this house ('tis but metaphor). 
That naught you leave for you '11 return no more. 

302 

This Sphere that makes to none its secrets plain. 
Hath thousands like Mahmud and Ayaz slain; 

Drink ! For the Fates to no one twice give life, 
For none who leaves the world returns again. 



300. B. 95. N. 216. L. 430. W. 257. P. 215. F. 73. B. reads 
line 2 "pain and poverty" for "grief and pain," line 3 "Bear with the 
times!" 

301. C. 227. N. 217. L. 424. W. 258. P. 216. F. 64. 

302. N. 219. L. 426. W. 259. P. 218. Mahmud, King of Ghazna 
and Ayaz, his favorite, 

101 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

. 303 
Thou, who surpasseth all earth's kings in might! 
Know'st thou when wine can make the spirit bright ? 

On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and 
On Thursday, Friday, Saturday, morn and night. 

304 
O, ogling, sweet, inconstant and fair maid ! 
Be still ! a thousand troubles are allayed ; 

Thou bid'st me look not on thee. This command 
Is as if *' Hold awry, spill not!" were said. 

305 
In taverns better I commune with Thee 
Than far from Thee in mosques feign piety; 

O Thou of all created first and last! 
If Thou wilt, burn, if Thou wilt, cherish me ! 



J 



303. C. 241. N. 220. L. 447. W. 260. P. 219. To the cupbearer. 
C, N. and P. read for "morn and night," "the day throughout." So 
runs the old catch, "Which is the properest day to drink?" 

304. N. 221. W. 261. P. 220. 

305. B. 2. C. 229. N. 222. L. 427. W. 262. P. 221. F. 77. Line 
2, lit. "Than without Thee at the prayer-niche I pray," and L. reads 
"Since I do not make a pretence of prayer before the prayer-niche." 

102 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

306 

When wine thou drink'st, wit's outcast do not be, 
Thy mind the dwelling of insanity. 

Would'st have its ruddy juice allowed to thee ? 
Restrain thy wrath, seek no man's injury ! 

307 
With fair maid and red wine by marge of rill, 
Of joy and mirth the while I take my fill; 

I was not but I am, and yet will be, 
I have drunk and drink now and will drink still. 

308 

Seek thou with wise and worthy men to be; 
A thousand leagues from worthless people flee; 
Drink poison that the wise give but refuse 
The antidote a fool doth offer thee. 



306. L. 629. 

307. L. 329. C. 188. 

308. N. 223. L. 440. W. 263. P. 222. 

103 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

309 

A bird flown from the mystic world am I, 
That from below to heights above might fly, 

Since here I find no worthy confidant, 
I go by the same door I entered by. 

310 

That abstinence from her could never be, 
God ordered and then bade me from her flee; 

'Twixt these commands we mortals stand per- 
plexed, 
As bidden "Hold awry, spill not!'' were we. 

311 

They 're gone and none returns to tell to thee 
Of those passed on the Veil's deep mystery ; 

Thy needs, not texts but true prayer will reveal. 
Mere play is prayer without sincerity. 



309. C. 238. N. 225. L. 429. W. 264. P. 224. F. 27. Also 
ascribed to Attar, Ansari and Muhammad Hassan Khan. 

310. N. 226. L. 442. W. 265. P. 225. Also ascribed to Nimat- 
allah Kirmani. Hold awry and spill not, i. e., do a thing impossible. 

311. C. 234. N. 227. L. 445. W. 266. P. 226. 

104 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

312 

Go ! On earth's face, in Heaven's face high in air 
FHng dust, drink wine and woo the sweet-faced fair ! 
What time is there for worship ? What for prayer ? 
For none of all those gone returneth e'er. 

If I Thy service' pearl did never thread. 
Nor sin's dust ever wiped from off my head, 
For all this of Thy mercy I have hope, 
Because that ''One is two" I ne'er have said. 

314 
Whenever Grief thy heart's attendant be 
With self-affairs in deep perplexity. 

The case thou should'st seek of some other heart, 
So full contentment shall result to thee. 



312. B. 97. C. 228. N. 228. L. 425. W. 267. P. 227. I follow B. 
Line 3, "worship," N. and P. read "favors." 

313. B. 1. C. 231. N. 229. L. 423. W. 268. P. 228. F. Intro- 
duction. I have never denied God's unity. N. and P., line 2, "If I have 
never swept the dust of Thy way with my heart," and L. and C. "from 
my cheek." "Head," line 3, lit. "face." I follow B. above; the others, 
line 3, "At Thy court of Thy mercy I have hope." Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

314. L. 54. In helping others forget self. 

105 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Our drinking habit we 've begun anew. 

And to the *'Five Prayers" have we said adieu; 

Where'er the goblet is, our necks stretched out 
Just Hke the necks of bottles you may view. 

316 

Joy seek not, for Life's sum is but a sigh; 
Each mote is from dust of a Jam or Kai. 

The world's case and the root of this life is 
A dream, vain phantasm in a breath passed by. 

In truth and not by way of simile. 

Heaven plays the game and its mere puppets we; 

In sport moved on Life's chess-board, one by one 
We reach the chess-box of Nonentity ! 



315. B. 99. C. 233. N. 230. L. 435. W. 269. P. 229. Omar here 
jests at the ' 'Takbir' ' or formula of renunciation of self and worldly things, 
and expresses a willingness to renounce the ' 'Panj namaz" or Five Prayers, 
appointed for daily observance. Also ascribed to Kamal Ismail. 

316. C. 86. L. 202. Jam, King Jamshed. Kai, Kai Khosrau, Cyrus. 

317. B. 94. C. 237. N. 231. L. 443. W. 270. P. 230. F. 69. 
The above is B. and C, the other texts transpose lines 1 and 2. 

106 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

318 

What is this fleeting life dost ask of me? 
Were I to tell, its story long would be. 

'Tis but a breath, felt, wafted from some sea, 
And then blown back to depths of that same sea! 

319 
My loved one (be her life long as my pain!) 
To-day began to favor me again, 

She glanced at my sad eyes and passed as if 
To say **Do good! and cast it on the main!" 

320 

I prest my lip in yearning to the urn. 
Thereby the means of length of life to learn. 

And lip to my lip placed it whispered low, 
"Drink! For to this world you will ne'er return!'' 



318. C. 242. N. 232. L. 448. W. 271. P. 231. 

319. N. 234. L. 437. W. 273. P. 233. 

320. B. 100. C.240. L. 446. W. 274. F. 35. L., line 3, "In mys- 
tic tongue this secret it revealed," and L. and C. read, line 4, "I once 
lived like thee, an instant bear with me." 

107 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

321 

The thorn that bends 'neath every creature's tread, 
May spring from some love's curl, fair brow of maid, 

And every tile on palace battlement 
Some Vizier's finger be or Sultan's head ! 

322 

Thou say'st "Rise! hold!" as in Naught's lair I lay, 
**Bide in the world, from its strife far away!" 

Now I 'm bewildered quite by Thy command, 
As if Thou "Hold awry, spill not!" did'st say. 



323 
O, Thou, who all men's secret thoughts dost know, 
In case of need who succor dost bestow, 

O, Lord give me repentance and forgive. 
Thou from whom penitence and pardon flow! 



I 



321. L. 77. C. 38, lines 1 and 3 reversed, and also C. page 25 
margin. C. reads "clay" instead of thorn, "Khaki" for "Khari." 

322. L. 428. W. 275. 

323. C. 243. N. 236. L. 449. W. 276. P. 235. F. 81. Line 2, 
lit. "In case of need Patron of all," and line 4 "O Thou repentance giver, 
pardoner of all!" Also ascribed to Abu Sa'id and to Ansari. 

108 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

324 
I saw a bird perched on the wall of Tus, 
Before her lay the skull of King Kaius, 

And thus she moaned, ''Alas! Where sound thy 
bells ? 
Where the alarums of thy drums profuse?" 

325 
Seek not the forecast of Futurity, 
Nor ask of aught that comes since it must flee. 

This ready-money moment count as gain. 
Reck not of Past, nor ask of times to be. 

326 

To start yon golden bowl its course who made. 
Earth's solid base, how end thus firmly laid. 

By Learning's touchstone ne'er will be assayed 
Nor ever in Conjecture's scales be weighed ! 



324. C. 244. N. 237. L. 453. W. 277. P. 236. Tus, a city of 
Khorassan. 

325. C. 245. N. 238. L. 451. W. 278. P. 237. Also ascribed to 
Rumi. 

326. L. 450. W. 279. 

109 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

327 

My ignorance I expose how frequently ! 
My heart is saddened in perplexity. 

Do you know why I wear the Magian belt? 
'T is of my Moslemism ashamed am I. 



328 

Khayyam, rejoice if overcome with wine 
Thou with a tulip-cheeked one dost recline; 

Since all things end in naught, rejoice and think 
How 'twould be wert thou dead, whilst life is thine. 



1 



329 
Last night I went into a pottery, 
Two thousand pots did silent, speaking see. 

*'The potter, buyer, seller, where are they?" 
One of the vessels cried out suddenly. 

327. C. 249. N. 241. L. 455. W. 281. P. 240. "Magian belt," 
wine drinking being contrary to the law, the ruins of the temples of the 
Magi or Fire-worshippers were used for the sale of the forbidden liquor. 
Hence the Persian word "kharabat," ruin, which also signifies a tavern. 
Khayyam represents himself as engaged in the ministry of the grape, 
wearing, as the Brahmins, a belt or zone. I drink wine because I am 
ashamed of my Mahometanism, one of whose tenets is abstinence from 
wine. It may be queried whether Omar means he is ashamed of 
Mahometanism or his practice of it. 

328. B. 102. C. 248. N. 242. L. 454. W. 282. P. 241. F. 42. 
Line 1 "overcome," L. "filled," and C. for "wine" reads "love." Line 
2 L., N. and P. read "Smooth-cheeked," and C. "fresh-cheeked," and 
C, line 3, "Since in this world vou are naught you needs must go." 

329. B. 103. C. 258. N. 243. L. 470. W. 283. P. 242. F. 82 and 
F. 87. I transpose lines 3 and 4. C, L., N. and P. read "Each one 
cried out to me in ecstasy." 

110 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Wine, that blest Khizer guards securely, 
Life's water is and its Elias I. 

The food of heart and soul I call it, for 
God says, '*A boon 'tis to humanity." 

331 
Though 't is forbidden, yet drink wine for aye. 
With lute and minstrelsy both night and day ; 

And of its ruby liquor spill a drop. 
And drain all that remains then, if you may. 

332 
By mead and stream when roses scent the air, 
Be with thy friends and mate as Houri fair ; 

Bring forth the cup ! For those who drink at 
dawn 
Give mosque nor synagogue nor thought nor care. 

330. C. 256. N. 246. L. 464. W. 285. P. 245. Al Koran, Chapter 
II, says that in wine and gaming there is great sin "and also some things 
of use to mankind." Khizer, vizier of Kai Kobad, a prophet who is said 
to have discovered and drunk of the water of life. Perhaps here confused 
with Elias. Line 1 N. varies "Wine that wise men hold in reverence." 

331. C.253. N.247. L. 461. W. 286. P. 246. L. reads "spill no drop." 

332. B. 32. L. 105. L. reads line 2 "With a few young Houri- 
natured playmates." The quatrain reads literally "On marge of stream 
and mead in the season of roses, With one, two or three people and a 
playmate like a Houri, Bring forth the cup! For wine drinkers at dawn 
Reck not of the mosque and are free of the synagogue!" 

Ill 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

333 
Would'st thou attain the stage of mystery? 
See that to none thou doest injury; 

Brood not o'er death nor fret for daily bread, 
For both in their own time will come to thee. 

334 

My virtues singly note, by the half score 
My faults forgive, past sins O God, pass o'er ! 

O, let not whiff and gust Thy wrath's flame fan ! 
By Allah's Prophet's dust I grace implore ! 

335 
How long let future ill your heart depress ? 
Far-seeing people's portion is distress; 

Be blithe ! Let not the world weigh down your 
heart ! 
To fret will make your lot, nor more nor less. 



333. L. 301. C. 139. Wilt thou by study, abstraction and contem- 
plation become initiate of the higher mysteries of living? A mystical 
quatrain. Line 1, lit. "Would'st thou that to thee the stage of mystery 
should arrive?" 

334. B. 105. N. 249. L. 469. W. 288. P. 248. 

335. L. 467. N. 245. W. 289. P. 244. Mat. VI, 27, "Which of 
you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" 



1 



112 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

There is a cup Creative Wisdom makes, 
That from Love's care a hundred graces takes ; 

Yet this frail urn the Potter of the world 
So shapes, — then on the ground in pieces breaks ! 

337 
Wine in the crystal is a subtle sprite. 
And in the flask it is a fluid bright. 

No heavy-wits are fit to be my friends 
Save wine-flasks, which are heavy and yet light. 

338 

Thou, knowing not of bread or salt the tie 
Still flay'st me like a fish, O wheel on high ! 

By woman's wheel since all mankind is clothed, 
'T is better far than thou, wheel of the sky ! 



336. C. 250. L. 456. W. 290, F. 84. C. reads "Beauty's" for 
"Love's," line 2. L. reads "then" for "so." Literally "There is a 
vessel that Creative Wisdom stamps it, A hundred kisses of Love upon its 
brow are imprinted, Yet this frail cup the Potter of the world So shapes 
then on the ground breaks it!" 

337. B. 106. N. 250. L. 473. W. 291. P. 249. 

338. C. 264. N. 251. L. 479. W. 292. P. 250. C, L. and W. read 
"By woman's wheel two bodies are clothed," i. e., man and wife. 

113 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

339 
If roses be not ours, behold the thorn ! 
And darkness, if comes not the light of morn ! 

And if we lack the vestment, cell and shaikh. 
Behold bell, church, and girdle to adorn ! 

340 
Thou of the final fire art not afraid, 
Nor cleansing in Contrition's stream hast made ; 

I fear when Death's blast puts out thy life-lamp. 
That Earth will spurn thee in her bosom laid! 

341 
Lo ! Dawn appears ! and rends Night's robe in twain : 
Why grieve ? Arise ! the draught of morning drain ! 
O, Sweetheart, drink ! for many a breaking Dawn 
Will look for us when we are dust again ! 

339. L. 482. N. 253. W. 293. P. 252. C, page 6 margin (second 
quatrain), W. varies slightly in line 3. See quatrain 707, If the symbols 
of Islam be not for me, those of Brahminicra or Christianity will serve my 
turn. C, page 6 margin (first quatrain), reads "If crust you have from 
any hand, be it so! And if abused you 've riches at command, then be it 
so! Beware lest you in gain become engrossed! Self freed from evil, come 
adversity, then be it so!" 

340. L. 481. W. 296. Possibly an interpolated quatrain written by 
some pious protestant. 

341. C. 261. N. 255. L. 475. W. 295. P. 254. F. 100. Line 4. lit. 
"Its face turned to us and we with faces in the dust." Also ascribed to 
Attar. 

114 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

342 
How long will prate of all eternity? 
'T is past my science and my theory ; 

Wine has no substitute in time of joy, 
'T is wine for every riddle turns the key. 

343 
Of God your Maker, merciful in sway. 
Despair not for your sins, though great be they ; 

For though to-day you die in a debauch. 
He will absolve your crumbling bones, next day. 

344 
Thy course contents me not, O, wheel on high. 
Free me, unsuited to thy destiny ; 

If thou dost favor fools and witless ones, 
I too am such, nor worth nor wit have I. 



342. B. 107. C. 268. L. 489. W. 304. "All eternity," past and 
future. B. transposes lines 2 and 3. L., line 3, "Drink wine for pure 
wine has no substitute." C, lines 3 and 4, reads " 'Tis wine for every 
riddle turns the key. Drink wine! for red wine has no substitute." 

343. C. 274. N. 262. L. 498. W. 305. P. 261. 

344. C. 282 (repeated C. page 81 margin). N. 263. L. 519. W. 306. 
P, 262. Also ascribed to Atir uddin. 

115 



^ 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

345 
This form of life is pictured phantasy, 
Who knows this not, unknowing quite is he: 

Sit, drain the wine-cup and be gay and free 
From these the figments of vain imagery ! 

Love in perfection and charmer fair ! 
Heart full of speech though tongue be speaking ne'er! 
What is more strange on earth O Lord, than this? 
I thirst ; a limpid stream flows by me there ! 

347 
At all times drain the brimming cup and free 
Your mind from grieving vain; delighted be 

With the Grape's daughter sitting, though forbid 
Far better than her lawful mother she. 



345. N. 256. L. 485. W. 297. P. 255. Doctrine of Maya or illusion. 

346. N.260. W.300. P. 259. Also ascribed to Rumi and to Ahmad 
Ghazzali. 

347. N. 259. W. 299. P. 258. "The grape's daughter," i. e., wine 
"dukhtar-i-raz," daughter of the grape. 

116 



1 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

348 
Some wine ! and be its trickling murmur made 
To bulbul's song, nightingale's serenade ! 

Wine ne'er would gurgle from the flagon's throat, 
If right were drinking without music's aid ! 

349 
Questioning will not solve Truth's mystery, 
No, nor will money spent nor property; 

Till rent thy soul, thou drink'st blood fifty years 
The way from '* words" to ** states" They'll not 
show thee. 

350 
Up from Earth's center e'en to Saturn's throne, 
I solved all problems of the Heavenly zone ; 

From bonds of fraud and artifice leaped out. 
And every barrier burst save Death's alone. 



348. N. 261. C. 269. L. 490. W. 301. P. 260. It begins lit. "Set 
wine in my hand." 

349. L. 492. W. 302 .Unless you practice asceticism you will not 
attain "states" of ecstatic union with "Hakk" Truth, the Deity of the 
Sufis. 

350. C. 270. L. 49]. W. 303. F. 31. 

117 



THE QUATRAINS 

'T is well with cup to fill the heart with glee, 
And count as little ** has been" and ''to be." 
This borrowed soul a prisoner here below, 
A while from Reason's bondage we '11 set free. 

352 
The moment when at Death's behest I flee. 
And like a leaf I fall from Being's tree. 

The world in my heart's joy I' 11 sift away 
Ere dustmen in their sieves to dust turn me. 

353 
This wheel of Heaven which we amazed discern. 
Is like a Chinese lantern, as we learn; 

The Sun the lamp, the World the lantern is. 
And we like figures are that on it turn. 



351. C. 317. N. 265. L. 572. W. 308. P. 264. L. 759, slight 
variant, second person of verb. Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

352. N. 266. L. 574. W. 309. P. 265. C. 321. Ascribed to Attar. 

353. B. 108. C. page 72 margin. N. 267. L. 505. W. 310. P. 266. 
F. 68. Fanus-i-kheyal, a magic lantern with figures of various sorts 
fastened on its translucent sides. The heat of the flame producing a 
current upward through a ventilating wheel at the top, caused it to 
revolve, and showed the shadows of the figures in motion. 1 follow B. 
C, L., N. and P., line 4, for "turn" read "are amazed." 

118 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

\ 

354 ^ 

O, Lord! It was Thou who my clay did'st knead. 

What should I do ? 
And of my silk and wool did'st spin the thread. 
What should I do? 
All good and bad that from my being come, 
It was Thou who did'st write upon my head. What 
should I do? 

355 
Friend, let us not the Morrow's fears forecast, 
Come! profit by this moment while it last; 

To-morrow this old Inn we '11 quit and be 
The comrades of Seven Thousand Ages past ! 

356 

No moment while you may refuse wine's aid, 
For by it reason, heart and faith are stayed; 
Had Iblis drunk one drop, to Adam he 
Two thousand salutations would have made. 

354. C. page 71 margin. N. 268. L. 502. W. 311. P. 267. It is a 
belief in parts of the East that in the markings of the sutures of the skull 
is inscribed the fate of the individual. C, W., N. and P., line 1, read "Of 
water and clay Thou me did'st knead." 

355. C. 296. N. 269. L. 546. W. 312. P. 268. F. 21. Line 4 L. 
reads "Till we shall equal seven thousand years." 

356. C. 301. N. 270. L. 550. W. 313. P. 269. Iblis, Satan, who 
refused to prostrate himself before Adam. L. reads "By wine the arro- 
gance of all is lessened. By wine revealed is our entire strength." See 
Koran, chapter II and chapter VII. 

119 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

357 
The door of Hope I 've shut to self, that so 
Favors I may escape from high and low ; 

I 've but one Friend who takes my hand, I know 
That which I am, I am, and He doth know! 

358 

A measure dance ! while we clap hands, arise ! 
Wine flown, we drink to thy Narcissus eyes. 

In twenty cups is not so much delight, 
But in three score amazing pleasure lies ! 

359 
By circling Heaven I 'm saddened constantly, 
And with my own base nature vexed am I ; 
Wit lacking from the world to sit apart. 
And wanting wisdom free from earth to fly. 



357. C. 278. N. 272. L. 508. W. 315. P. 271. L. in line 3 varies, 
'If Sufi of mosque or convent I be." 

358. N. 271. W. 314. P. 270. 

359. N. 273. L. 553. W. 316. P. 272. C. 303. 

120 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

360 

Upon earth's carpet sleepers I espy, 
And others hidden underneath descry, 

And those gone or not come I see where'er 
I view the desert of Nonentity. 

361 

Of sin I reck not, since I trust Thy grace, 
Nor with Thy care, the toilsome way I trace. 

And I rate not the ''black book" at a grain, 
So that Thy favor shall make white my face. 

362 

Think not a fear to leave the world have I, 
Nor dying nor that thence the soul should fly ; 
Since death is certain, that I do not dread, 
' T is my ill living makes me fear to die. 



360. N. 274. L. 556. W. 317. P. 273. C. 306. Also ascribed to 
Attar. Nicolas says the sleepers are those plunged in the slumber of 
ignorance or superstition. 

361. C. 309. N. 275. L. 559. W. 318. P. 274, The Mohammedans 
believe that the wicked will rise at the last day with faces blackened and 
the just with white faces. Black book, that containing the record of each 
person's sins. See F. 81. Lines 3 and 4 transposed. 

362. N. 276. L, 562. W. 319. P. 275. C. 297. 

121 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

363 
How long mere slaves of petty prudence be ? 
What if we live a day or century ? 

Wine bring us in the bowl, or ever we 
Become but wine-jars in the pottery. 

364 

You and I to twin compasses compare, 

O soul! one body though two heads we bear; 

We circle now around a central point 
Till we at last again united are. 

365 
How long, O stupid zealot, wilt thou chide. 
That ever wine-flown we in taverns bide? 

Thou sadly wear'st thy beads, pretence, deceit; 
With sweetheart, song and wine we're satisfied! 



363. B. 111. C. 304. N. 277. L. 554. W. 320. P. 276. Line 1, 
lit. "How long shall we be slaves of daily prudence ?" Line 2, "century" 
B. reads "one year." C. reads "one year in the body." 

364. N. 283. L. 504. W. 323. P. 282. C. page 82 margin. 

365. C. 305. N. 278. L. 555. W. 321. P. 277. Line 4, C. and L., 
lit. "We have wine, singer and beloved at will!" The others read "We 
are ever with wine and loved one at will !" 

122 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

366 

I fight with my desires continually. What shall I do ? 
And my own deeds bring constant shame to me. 

What shall I do? 
Suppose that of Thy kindness Thou forgive ? 
For this my shame Thou did'st my actions see, 

What shall I do ? 

367 
Since in this world no resting-place have we, 
Sans wine and sweetheart folly 't were to be. 

How long, O wise man, prate of old or new ? 
When I am dead, what 's old or new to me ? 

368 

Although to mosque I 've come with humble air, 
By gracious Allah ! I 've not come for prayer ; 

One day I stole a prayer-mat, which worn out 
Time and ag^in still thither I repair. 



366. N. 282. L. 503. B. 109. W. 322. P. 281. C. page 72 margin. 

367. B. 112. C. 292. N. 284. L. 537. W. 324. P. 283. Line 2 
"wine" B. reads "cupbearer." Line 3 "wise man," C, N., P. and L. 
read "simpleton." 

368. B. 115. N. 285. L. 532. W. 325. P. 284. C. 318. Slightly 
variant but synonymous. 

123 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

369 

No more let Fortune's changes bring us pain, 
From aught save sparkling red wine we'll abstain; 
The world 's our murderer and wine its blood, 
Why should we not that murderer's heart's blood 
drain ? 

370 
I'll bear a hundred scoffs for thy dear sake, 
Or pay the debt if I this promise break ; 

Though life suffice thy cruelties, 'twere less 
Than what till Judgment I would undertake! 

371 
In Being's circle we have come too late. 
And fallen quite from manhood's high estate. 

And since life moveth not to our desire, 
Would 't were at end ! for we are satiate ! 



369. N. 286. L. 524. W. 326. P. 285. Line 1, lit. " No more let 
us consume the grief of this shifting of the sphere." 

370. B. 113. C. page 81 margin. L. 514. N. 287. P. 286. W. 327. 
N. and P., line 4, variant but synonymous. L. line 1, reads, "For love 
I 'd bear with a hundred sorts of reproaches." The others, "For thy 
love," etc. Addressed to the beloved. 

371. N. 288. L. 535. W. 328. P. 287. 

124 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Since earth's but fantasm, I '11 fantastic be, 
Naught think of save bright wine and revelry. 

They say '*God give thee penitence! " He'll not 
Give it and I would not repent, did He! 

373 
When at the foot of Death I am laid low, 
And when his hand doth my plucked plumage strew. 
Naught of my clay, look ye but flasks ye make. 
Perchance the wine-scent new life will bestow. 

374 
As in this world's affairs' variety 
I see haphazard placed folk seem to be; 

Praise be to God! for whereso'er I look. 
My own chagrin as due to that, I see! 



372. B. 114. C. 315. N. 289. L. 522. W. 329. P. 288. I have 
here suggested the word play of the original "fan," fana meaning fan- 
tasy, illusion, and "fan" meaning artifice, masquerading. L. slightly 
varies line 3. 

373. B. 116. C. 293. N. 290. L. 539. W. 330. P. 289. F. 89. 
B. and L. read line 2 "I am rooted up from life's hope," and line 4, 
which reads lit. "It may be that from the wine-scent an instant I may 
revive," L. reads "moist with wine" and B. "filled with wine." See 
673. Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

374. N. 291. L. 534. W. 331. P. 290. C. page 80 margin. 

125 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

375 
Let us sip rose-hued wine, 'tis break of day, 
Fame's chalice on the stones we'll fling away 

And cease to strive for what we long have hoped 
And with long tresses and the lute's strings play. 

Though widespread as the earth my sins should be. 
That Thou wilt guide I trust Thy clemency; 

Thou say'st ''When thou art weak I'll take thy 
hand." 
One weaker now than I, look not to see. 



377 
If drunk with Magian wine I am, I am. 
Faithless, Gueber, idolater I am, 

I am. Each sect of me conjecture holds; 
I am myself and what I am, I am. 



1 

I 



375. B. 118. N. 294. L. 571. W. 332. P. 293. F. 41. Also ascribed 
to Jalal uddin Kazvini. "Strings," line 4, lit. "skirt." Line 2, lit 
"we'll strike." "Long" word play. 

376. C. 275. N. 296. L. 499. W. 333. P. 295. Also ascribed to 
Saif uddin Bakharzi and to Abu Sa'id. 

377. N. 297. L. 563. W. 334. P. 296. C. 311. Not so lago, who 
says "I am not what I am." 

126 



fl 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

378 
All my life long from drink I'd not refrain, 
To-night on Kader's Feast the cup I'll drain 

Lip to its lip and breast to breast of jar, 
Hand on flask's neck until dawn breaks again. 

379 
What 's manifest in life and death know I, 
The heart of everything both low and high; 

But shame upon my knowledge if I know 
A state that with wine's ecstasy can vie! 

380 

Dervish, the cloak of seeming cast from thee! 
Give not thy being to hypocrisy. 

Go! Poverty's old rug on shoulders throw, 
Beneath it beat the drum of empery! 



378. C. 277. N. 298. L. 510. W. 335. P. 297. Line 1, lit. "I 've 
not been sober an instant since I existed." L. and C. for "sober" read 
"without wine." "Kader's feast," "shab-i-kadr," the night of power, 
when the Koran was said to have been sent from Heaven. 

379. B. 120, N. 300. L. 523. W. 336. P. 299. F. 56. "Shame," 
line 3, L., N. and P. read "I am weary." 

380. B. 125. W. 502. Line 4, which is literal, may be interpreted 
"Become the equal of a Sultan." 

127 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

381 

I drink wine, but avoid debauchery, 

Save with the cup, from grasping I am free; 

Know'st thou why I 'm a worshipper of wine? 
'T is since I 'm no self-worshipper like thee. 

382 

To thee an adept I may briefly say 

What man has always been, a shape of clay. 

The clay of grief cast in the mould of toil. 
Who tasting life a moment, moves away. 

383 

The wine-jar's lip we 've made our place to pray. 
With its red juice as men ourselves array ; 
In taverns that life we may yet regain 
Which in the convents we did waste away! 



381. N. 301. L. 528. W. 337. P. 300. C. 287. Also ascribed to 
Anwari. 

382. N. 302. L. 566. W. 338. P. 301. C. 314. 

383. N. 303. W. 339. P. 302. See quatrain 810. 

128 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

384 
The flower of all Creation are we, 
The pearl of light as wisdom's eye doth see ; 

Beyond a doubt, Life's circle is a ring. 
Whose graven signet is humanity. 

^385 

'T is we with wine who ecstasy attain 
Spurning the base, the empyrean gain; 

Then from this body's dross we become freed, 
We came from dust and dust become again. 

386 

If I did eat ere Ramazan was past. 

Think not that with intent I broke the fast. 

My day, from fasting toils, became as night, 
Methought 't was not dawn, when I food did taste. 



384. C. page 70 margin. N. 304. L. 512. W. 340. P. 303. "Flow- 
er," lit. "the object," "aim," the final consummation, "we," meaning 
mankind. 

385. N. 305. L. 525. W. 341. P. 304. 

386. N. 306. L. 533. W. 342. P. 305. In Ramazan, the fasting 
month of the Moslems, the fast is observed during the hours of light. 
The principal meal was before the morning crepusculum. 

129 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

We ne'er in joy a cup of water drain 

That from Griefs hand a draught did not contain, 

Nor dip our crust within another's salt, 
But that we mortify our hearts in pain. 

388- 

I go at dawn to taverns every day. 
With Kalenders I riot on the way: 

Since the world's end and secrets Thou dost know, 
Vouchsafe me grace that I to Thee may pray! 

389 

The griefs of Time we reck not at a grain, we 're happy. 

If breakfast comes from dinner we abstain, yes we 're 

happy. 

Since cooked food from Love's kitchen comes to us. 

Of none do we have expectations vain, for we 're happy ! 

387. C. page 83 margin. N. 310. L. 515. W. 343. P. 308. Line 
4, literally "Gnaw our roast liver." The liver and the heart in literature 
have equally been the seat of love and pain. The word "jigar," liver, 
may often be properly rendered in English "heart." Theocritus speak- 
ing of Hercules' lament on the loss of Hylas "For in his liver Love had 
fixt a wound." So Horace, Carmen XXV, Book 1, "Cum tibi flagrans 

Amor Saeviet circa JECUR ulcerosum," and elsewhere. 

Anacreon and other classical writers thus refer to the liver. And among 
English writers, Shakspeare, "Alas their love may be called appetite, No 
motion of the liver but the palate." 

388. N. 312. L. 549. W. 344. P. 311. C. 300. 

389. C. 294. N. 313. L. 551. W. 345. P. 312. There is a variation 
in line 3. I follow the Calcutta and Lucknow. The others read "no 
food from the kitchen." 

130 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

390 
No day from earthly bonds have we been free, 
No single moment glad in life to be, 

To Fortune long apprenticeship I served 
Nor of the other world gained mastery. 

391 
I am miscalled philosopher by foes, 
I am not that which they aver, God knows ! 

I know not what I am, still less my end 
Since I have come into this nest of woes. 

392 
The more removed from self, I live the more. 
The more abased I am, the higher soar; 

More strange than this, that while from Being's 
wine 
I grow more sober, I 'm more drunk therefor ! 



390. C. 322. N. 314. L. 575. W. 346. P. 313. Line 4 N. and P. 
"two worlds." 

391. L. 580. C. 323. W. 350. Philosopher here means free thinker. 

392. L. 570. W. 351. A mystical quatrain. 

131 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

393 ^ 

Greeting from me to Mustafa convey, ^ 

And with due ceremony do ye say : 

*^ Chief of the Hashimi ! why by the Law 
Is pure wine banned and why allowed sour whey? 

394 
Khayyam from me with salutations greet, 
And " Thou art green, Khayyam ! " say when ye meet. 

When said I that wine is unlawful? Still 
'T is to the "green" (as thou), not the discreet. 

395 
"I am the garden's Joseph" the rose said, 
**A ruby dear, my mouth with gold arrayed." 

" What sign of Joseph do you show? " quoth I, 
And she, *''Tis that with blood my coat is red." 



393. N. 316. W. 348. Mustafa, Mohammed. Hashimi, the family 
name. 

394. N. 317. W. 349. "Green," "kham," raw, uncooked, a play 
on Khayyam's name. This and the preceding quatrain are the only ones 
that have obvious relationship. They both may be interpolations. 

395. L. 568. W. 352. Gold, the yellow stamens of the rose. Joseph, 
a type of beauty. The Calcutta MS. has a similar quatrain, C. 325. 
"Rose said, *A hand, gold scattering, I bear. And in the world a smiling 
face I wear, I snatch my purse's string and then am gone And all my 
treasured gold I give up there.' " F. 14. 

132 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

396 
Awhile the master's side we did frequent, 
Awhile then with our progress were content, 

Hear the discourse's end, what came to us, 
From dust we came and on the wind we went! 

397 
Pure from the void we came, unclean we go; 
Tranquil we came, depart we full of woe. 

With hearts afire and watered with our tears 
And giving life to wind in earth lie low. 

398 

The earth we traversed Jamshed's cup to see. 
Nor rest by day, nor sleep by night took we; 

When the sage told its attributes, I learned 
That world-revealing cup myself to be ! 



396. B. 121. L. 544. W. 353. F. 27. F. 28. "Hear," line 3, B. 
reads "Behold, ' ' and line 4, " We came like water and like wind we went. ' ' 

397. L. 538. W. 354. C. 290 line 3 varies. 

398. L. 529. W. 355. Jamshed's cup, the bowl of king Jamshed 
which reflected the entire world. Lines 3 and 4 have the plural verb. 

133 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

399 
The queen moved, I became disconsolate, 
By harshness fell from knight's to pawn's estate. 

Then when I tired of king and bishop's game. 
Rook to thy rook I place .... and so, checkmate ! 

400 

Since Allah's will and mine do not agree. 

How then becomes that right that's willed by me? 

If everything is right that He doth will. 
Then all things I have willed must error be. 

401 

That ruby bring, in crystal pure confined, 
The mate and stay of men of noble mind! 

Yea, bring wine, since thou knowest that the days 
Of this dust world pass swiftly as the wind ! 



399. L. 517. C. 284. W. 356. A chess quatrain. Note the word 
play on "rook," meaning cheek, and also castle. "Cheek to thy cheek I 
place," 

400. C. 272. L. 497. W. 357. Line 1, lit. "Since Allah does not 
will what I have willed." 

401. B. 87. L. 403. N. 203. P. 202. Line 3 L., N. and P. read 
"Since thou knowest all creatures are dust," and N. and P., line 4, read 
"Is a wind that passes in two days." Ascribed to Hafiz. Line 2, "men," 
etc., lit. "free men." 

134 



fl 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

402 

Arise ! To this sad heart bring medicine ! 
Yea, that musk-scented and rose-colored wine ! 

Grief's antidote's ingredients v/ould'st thou have? 
With red wine bring that silk stringed lute of thine ! 

403 
'T is time of roses, and my choice I '11 take, 
For once in this affair the law I '11 break, 

With tender green and tulip-cheeks awhile 
With wine mid verdure tulip-beds I '11 make. 

404 

Think not I am of self existent, nay ! 

Nor of self walk this blood-devouring way ; 

This being is not mine, it is of Him, 
Who, where and whence am I ? Tell me I pray ? 



402. B. 88. 

403. N. 308. L. 579. W. 358. P. 307. Line 3 meaning, With those 
whose cheeks are tender-downed and tulip-red, that is with youth and 
beauty. A species of word-play on "sabza," green, or verdure and 
"lallah," tulip. 

404. C. page 71 margin. L. 509. W. 359. Mystical and Vedantic. 

135 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

405 
You who both day and night the world pursue, 
Of Judgment Day are you not mindful too? 
An instant then bethink yourself and see, 
Consider what Time doth to others do. 

406 

O thou ! the essence of all things mundane, 
A moment leave the thought of loss and gain. 

Take the Eternal Bearer's cup, and so 
Freedom from cares of both the worlds attain ! 

407 

Know in this endlessly revolving zone. 
Two sorts of men have happiness alone. 

One knowing all his good and bad and one 
Neither the world's affairs nor yet his own. 



405. N. 318. L. 592. W. 361. P. 315. C. page 85 margin. 

406. C. 338. N. 319. L. 604. W. 362. P. 316. The cup of Death. 

407. N. 320. L. 606. W. 363. P. 317. C. 340. In his "Persian 
Sentences" Sir Gore Ouseley gives the Persian text of a similar epigram, as 
it is placed in connection with a number of others, some of which are 
known to be Omar's, under a general heading of "Omar Kheiam," it 
may be by Omar and it is given here: "Each of three classes the true 
worth doth know Of each of three things in this world below, The aged 
value youth, the sickly, health. The poor, the good that riches can bestow." 

136 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

408 

The world's conditions to my heart make light 
And hide my ill deeds from the people's sight ; 

Keep me but glad to-day, to-morrow then 
Treat me as to Thy mercy seemeth right ! 

409 

To him who doth the world's state truly know% 
As one, is all its trouble, joy and woe; 

Since both its good and bad will have an end, 
As Thou wilt, pain or remedy bestow! 

410 

Arise! moan not the world's inconstancy! 
Be glad an instant, seize joy ere it flee ! 

In the world's nature if aught constant were 
The turn from others had not come to thee. 



408. N. 321. L. 612. W. 364. P. 318. C. 342. 

409. B. 122. C. 347. N. 322. L. 618. W. 365. P. 319. "State," 
line 1, C. and B. read "secrets." 

410. N. 325. L. 585. W. 366. P. 322. F. 23. C. 329. C. reads, 
line 2. "Sit and enjoy this fleeting world!" 

137 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

411 

O, best of old friends ! from me do you hear. 
Of this unending Heaven have no fear, 

But rest you sitting in Contentment's nook, 
And gaze upon the playing of the Sphere. 

412 

While you have power with drinkers seek to be. 
Break down the wall of prayer and piety. 

Hear from Khayyam O friend this sage advice, 
Drink wine and rob, but O, show charity! 

413 
The world's a body and God is its soul, 
And various angels senses that control 

Its limbs, the creatures, elements and heavens. 
All else illusion is and this the whole. 



411. C. page 87 margin. N. 326. L. 595. W. 367. P. 323. F. 45, 
first edition. 

412. B. 123. C. 346. N. 327. L. 617. W. 368. P. 324. B.,C.and 
L. for "Khayyam, O friend," read "Omar Khayyam." 

413. N. 328. L. 582. W. 369. P. 325. "Hakk," God, primarily 
"The Truth." Pantheism. Also ascribed to Sa'id uddin Hamari. 

138 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

414 

My heart to gladden in serenity, 
Last night my wine-house charmer brought to me 
The cup to take and drink, ''I will not drink!" 
Quoth I. ''To gratify my heart!" said she. 

415 
Would'st thou have Fortune bow the neck to thee, 
Ever to feed the soul thy care must be, 

And practice faith like mine, to drink thy wine. 
Not drain the cup of worldly misery ! 

416 

These potters who have ever hand in clay, 
All heedless of its sense, wit, mind are they. 

With cuff and kick and slap they beat as 't were 
Clay of the bad that thus they pound away. 



414. N. 329. L. 603. W. 370. P. 326. N., W. and P. read, line 1, 
"sincerity" for "serenity." 

415. N. 330. L. 598. W. 371. P. 327. 

416. C. page 46 margin. N. 119. L. 258. P. 119. N. and P., line 
4, begin "Clay of the body." 



139 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

In this dust world from pole to pole in sooth 
Howe'er discerning people seek the truth, 
The only good in this deceitful world 
Is rose-hued wine and lovely cheeks of youth ! 

418 

Have you no shame for all the sins you do, 
Forbidden things, commands forsaking, too? 

Suppose you gain the kingdom of the world. 
What do, except to leave it then, will you ? 

419 

A sot crouched in the desert I did see, 
Islam nor unfaith, goods nor creed had he. 

Nor God, nor truth, nor law, nor certainty ; 
Where in two worlds is like audacity ? 



417. N. 331. W. 372. P. 328. 

418. N. 335. L. 596. W. 374. P. 332. C. 336. 

419. N. 336. L. 616. W. 375. P. 333. Line 1 N. and P. begin for 
"A sot" "A man." 

140 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

420 

Concerning faith and dogma some surmise, 
Some are perplext 'twixt doubts and certainties; 

When suddenly an unseen herald cries : 
**0 fools! Nor here nor there the pathway lies!" 

421 

A bull there is in Heaven, his name Parwin, 
Beneath the earth another is unseen ; 

Ope wisdom's eye, since mankind truly is 
A string of asses, these two bulls between. 

422 

They bid me less than this the wine-cup use ; 
*'Nay, why dost thou not wholly wine refuse?" 

It is my love's face and the morning draught. 
Be just, could there be a more clear excuse? 



420. C. page 86 margin. N. 337. L. 591. W. 376. P. 334. F. 25. 
"Unseen," lit. "from ambush." Also ascribed to Shah Sanghan. 

421. N. 338. L. 601. W. 377. P. 335. The bulls are the constel- 
lation Taurus and that which was fabled to support the earth. Khayyam 
is here as contemptuous as lago. 

422. N. 339. L. 593. W. 378. P. 336. C. 330. 

141 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

423 
If I o'er Heaven should Godlike power acquire, 
I 'd sweep away this firmament entire, 

Another such, from that new Heaven I 'd make. 
So the freed soul might reach its high desire. 

424 

This poor, mad, sympathetic heart of mine, 
Ne'er sober, for my sweetheart's love doth pine ; 

The day the Fates poured out the wine of Love 
This goblet They with my heart's blood did line. 

425 
Better to drink, with fair maids wander free. 
Than in deceit to practice piety ; 

If sots and lovers all in Hell will be. 
Then who would wish the face of Heaven to see ? 



423. C. 335. N. 340. L. 594. W. 379. P. 337. F. 99. 

424. N. 341. L. 590. W. 380. P. 338. C. page 86 margin. Line 
4, lit. "liver's blood." 

425. B. 127. N. 342. L. 608. W. 381. P., 339. Line 4, "who," I 
follow L., the others read "none." F. 65, second edition. 

142 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

426 

The joyous heart keep ever from despair, 
Nor on the trial stone life's pleasures wear ; 

Since no one knows what is to be, we need 
At will with wine and love to rest from care. 

427 

Our names from off the Scroll of Life erased. 
We by the hand of Fate must be effaced ; 

O sweet-faced boy, bring water cheerfully, 
For in the dust soon must we be abased ! 

428 

'T is well indeed of good repute to be, 
And shame to grieve at Heaven's tyranny; 

Better o'ercome with fumes of juice of grapes, 
Than with a zealot's self sufficiency. 



426. B. 128. N. 344. L. 588. W. 382. P. 341. C. 333. Line 3 
B. "None have appeared who know," and C. "None need know." 

427. B. 52. C. 154. N. 112. L. 358. P. 112. B., line 1, for "Scroll 
of Life" reads "In Love's way," and line 3, for "Cheerfully" reads "Sit 
not idle." B. may be translated as follows: Within the way of Love 
effaced must I Become, destroyed by hands of Destiny. O, sweet-faced 
boy, sit not idly by, But water give, for soon in dust we'll lie." 
L. reads line 3 "moon-faced cupbearer," and C. ends "However 
much you rise in the world. How high so e'er your station be in life, The 
end is At last beneath the clay we all must lie." 

428. N. 345. L. 586. W. 383. P. 342. C. 331. 

143 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

429 

Lord, mercy on this captive heart bestow. 
Pity this bosom overcome with woe, 

O, pardon this my hand that grasps the cup, 
And these my feet that to the tavern go! 

430 
The man of spirit, wine renounces ne'er. 
The wine that to Life's water doth compare, 

In Ramazan if one needs must abstain, 
At least let it be abstinence from prayer. 

431 
In time when fresh-bloomed roses venders cry. 
Give order that the wine-cup be filled high. 

Count not pavilions, Houris, Heaven or Hell, 
For their existence they will certify. 



429. C. 332. N. 346. L. 587. W. 384. P. 343. C. and L. transpose 
lines 1 and 2, and read "On captive soul and heart." I transpose lines 
3 and 4. 

430. N. 135. L. 280. P. 135. C. 123. 

431. C. 130. L. 284. If you are destined for heaven or hell it is 
unnecessary to trouble yourself about them, in due season the one or the 
other with its adjuncts will be made manifest. 

144 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

432 
Since with the Friend all thy life long at rest 
Thou hast been, as a dream is what has passed; 

At last life must be left, but all thy days 
These earthly pleasures have been thine to taste. 

433 
However much at Fate's hand thou dost smart. 
Oppressed by Heaven however grieved at heart. 

Beware lest of pure water from base hands 
A drop wet thy lip, though afire thou art. 

434 
If it be horses, turquoise, arms of war. 
Be not proud of this ten day fortune, for 

None bears away his life from Heaven's wrath. 
Which breaks the mug to-day, — next day the jar! 



432. L. 404. 

433. L. 758. However afflicted, do not place yourself under obliga- 
tion to the base. 

434. L. 669. Fate takes the weak to-day, the mighty escape not 
to-morrow. 

145 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

435 
Drink ! for the jasmine oft grown high will be 
And Suha oft above. Live happily 

On verge of garden gaily ! for full oft 
That garden verge will bloom when gone are we ! 

436 
O, Lord from care of more or less, free me! 
O sever me from self and fill with Thee ! 

While sober I both good and bad know, so 
Make me enrapt, from good and bad set free! 

437 
The ill deeds of yon circling dome, survey! 
See earth laid bare of friends who Ve passed away ! 

Look for no morrow, seek not yesterday ! 
Live while you may, a breath, behold To-Day! 



435. L. 288. Suha, a small star in Ursa Minor. 

436. C. 343. N. 347. L. 613. W. 385. P. 344. L. and W. for 
"more or less," line 1, read "acceptance and rejection." Line 4 "enrapt," 
lit. "drunk," "mast," enrapt is a secondary meaning. 

437. L. 623. B. 126. W. 386. L. reads "pass by yesterday!" 



146 



1 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

V 

438 

Since in this harsh world all man's gain hath been 
Only his soul's vexation and chagrin, 

Happy is he who quickly flees this world, 
And he who never came knows joy serene! 

439 
Till comes to boiling this life pot of mine, 
In Comfort's bowl I'll quaff juice of the vine. 

O, potter, if from my clay you shape jars. 
Sell them to none save those who deal in wine ! 

440 

Ill-wishers never do their purpose gain ; 
Not one hurt done, a hundred they sustain. 

I wish you well yet you would do me harm. 
No good you see nor ill doth me attain. 



438. B. 124. C. 339. L. 605. W. 387. "Harsh world," line 1, lit. 
"place of strife," "wild," "salt marsh," etc. Line 4, lit. "That one who 
never came to earth is at peace." 

439. L..471. 

440. L. 360. 

147 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

441 

We know not secrets of Eternity, 
This riddle is not solved by thee or me ; 

They talk of thee and me, behind the Veil, 
But when the Veil is lifted, gone are we 

442 

Against our dear lives holding its design, 

This wheel of Heaven doth plot thy death and mine; 

Come sit upon this grass, 'twill not be long 
Ere verdure springs up from my dust and thine. 

443 
When from the body our souls pass away. 
To mark our tomb a pair of tiles they'll lay. 

And then, for tiles for graves of other men 
Within the potter's mould they '11 press our clay. 



441. C. 328. L. 581. W. 389. F. 32. 

442. B. 129. C. 351. N. 348. L. 634. W. 390. P. 345. C. begins 
"Drink wine for Heaven." B. reads line 3, for "Come," "O, idol" and 
C. and L. "Sitting upon the grass the goblet drain, 't will not belong," etc. 
Also ascribed to Attar. 

443. C. page 89, margin. N. 349. L. 637. W. 391. P. 346. 

148 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

444 
Yon palace that to Heaven towered high, 
Where, forehead bowed to threshold. Kings did lie, 

I saw a dove that on its battlements 
Thus, **Koo, koo, koo?" ''Where are they now?" 
did cry. 

445 
Since every day and night of life for thee 
Cuts off a part, give not up ; happily 

Thy day and night pass, for O full long when 
Thou art no more, still night and day will be. 

446 

Khayyam, the world surveys those with disdain, 
Who still at Time's rebuffs morose remain. 

Ere on the stones Life's crystal chalice breaks. 
Quaff wine from crystal to the harp's soft strain. 



444. C. 354. N. 350. L. 627. W. 392. P. 347. F. notetoruba'i 
18. Also ascribed to Hafiz. FitzGerald quotes Binning as finding this 
quatrain inscribed on a stone in the ruins of Persepolis. "Koo" in 
Persian signifies "Where," as if the bird were mournfully calling for 
the lost tenants of the splendid habitation to return to the scenes of their 
ancient grandeur, 

445. N. 218. L. 438. P. 217. 

446. N. 252. C. 259. L. 474. P. 251. Morose, lit. "narrow 
hearted." 

149 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

447 
O Sweetheart, since the world doth sadden thee, 
And from thy body soon the soul will flee. 

Ere verdure from thine ashes springeth up, 
These few days on the green rest cheerfully. 

448 

The moonlight severs the dark robe of Night, 
On such a moment you no more may light; 

So drink, rejoice, and think that one by one 
Full many a moon on Earth's face will shine bright. 

449 
Drink wine, ere doth your name from Earth depart, 
For cares take flight when wine doth reach the heart; 

And loose the loved one's tresses knot by knot. 
Or e'er the knots your limbs bind, rend apart. 



447. C. 61. N. 72. L. 134. P. 72. C. reads "Rest on the green 
and sip thy cup awhile cheerfully," 

448. C. 93. N. 94. L. 207. P. 94. Also ascribed to Attar. 

449. N. 155. L. 237. P. 155. Also ascribed to Attar. 

150 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

450 
The veil that parts us I will roll away 
To-morrow, and with good luck, wine essay ; 
The time agrees and the beloved consents, 
If I rejoice not now, when shall I, pray ? 

451 
Ne'er give up wine if wine at hand avail, 
A hundred vain regrets else thee assail; 

In such a time how were repentance right 
When roses bloom and sings the nightingale? 

452 
I 'd give my pearl of self for no small fee. 
Nor thy door's dust for Jamshed's empery. 

My pains thee serving, for ten myriad balms, 
Nor for both worlds a single hair of thee. 



450. C. 194. N. 166. L. 335. P. 166. 

451. C. 166. N. 133. L. 343. P. 133. Edward FitzGerald voices 
in a similar note the sense, if not the revolt, of the Spring in a letter, 
dated April 22, to his fisher-friend, Fletcher, which concludes thus: "And 
now the Sun shines, and the shrubs in my Grounds are shaking out a 
reef of Green, and a Nightingale is singing among them; and I have 
been twice out in my little Boat with old West; and I am going down to 
the Ferry to-niorrow perhaps; and I am also yours truly, E. FG." 

452. L. 578. I have transposed lines 2 and 3. Addressed to the 
beloved. "Sad hazar" =100,000, =ten myriads. 

151 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

453 
'T is hour of dawn, up ! boy of simple mind ! 
And let the glass with ruby wine be lined. 

This borrowed moment at this transient Inn 
Full oft you'll seek and ne'er again will find! 

454 
Lest you Pretence's tavern reach, take care! 
Nor as the Kalenders perform you there. 

This is the way of folk who hold heads high ; 
From ever setting foot therein, beware ! 

455 
Be blithe, for that time will come certainly 
When 'neath dust will be all humanity. 

Quaff wine, nor drain the dregs of worldly care, 
And let him fret who in the world shall be ! 



453. C. 211. N. 214. L. 402. P. 213. Variant but synonymous. 

454. L. 696. C. 396. A hit at the self righteous pietists. 

455. C. 164. N. 160. L. 393. P. 160. L., line 2, for "all humanity" 
reads "all bodies." 

152 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Assembling let us all with loved ones sit; 
And of the time's cares let us all be quit; 

The chalice of Love's liquor let us drain, 
Be all at peace and free, enrapt of it ! 

457 
O, Saki, since youth's season has begun, 
Do thou the wine-cup place my palm upon ; 

The hour of dawn-draught 'tis, I've locked the 
door, 
O boy, give wine ! for risen is the sun ! 

458. 

Of love of thee I censure never give. 
And ne'er with fools upon this subject strive ; 
The wine of loving flows for all mankind. 
The worthless from this cup no joy derive. 



456. N. 371. L. 644. P. 367. 

457. L. 686. C. 387. 

458. L. 155. 

153 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

My heart 's consumed for you ; What shall I do, 
Saki? Than one wine-flown I 'm more dazed, too; 

And though some call me sot, it yet, mayhap. 
Is rather I 'm o'ercome with grief for you ! 

460 

Thy daily need since fixed by equity 
No jot reduced or added to may be; 

At rest one needs to be concerning all. 
And from whatever is one should be free. 

461 

This babbling cease if ye be friends of mine. 
And do ye recompense my woes with wine. 

When I am clay, make ye a brick thereof 
A hole within some tavern wall to line. 



459. L. 141. 

460. L. 239. C. Margin page 49. 

461. C. 174. N. 173. L. 353. P. 173. L. variant but synonymous. 
"Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the 
wind away; O, that that earth, which kept the world in awe. Should patch 
a wall to expel the winter's flaw!" 

154 



i 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

462 

From evil trifling of yon glass-like Sphere 
And shifts of Time that for the base doth care, 

In breast my heart a blood-filled flask I bear, 
And cup-like filled my cheeks with many a tear. 

463 
Beware in taverns that we make no cry. 
Nor raise a stir when we are passing by ; 

The Book and turban let us sell for wine, 
The mosque-school pass, nor yet assemble nigh. 

464 

My wine-jar Thou hast shattered Lord, for me 
And closed the door of my felicity ; 

My pure wine Lord, Thou hast poured on the 
earth. 
May I die Lord! 'Tis Thou art drunk, may be! 



462. N. 332. L. 615. P. 329. C. 345. 1 transpose lines 3 and 4. 

463. N. 311. L. 567. P. 310. C. 316. Book, z. ^., the Koran. Turban, 
the emblem of dignity. L. variant but synonymous. 

464. N. 388. C. 399. L. 703. B. 141. P. 384. Line 3 "pure," 
L. reads "rose-colored" and C. "ruby." Line 4 "drunk," B. reads 
"strange." 

155 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

465 
An old man at a vintner's I did see, 
I said *' Of those gone hast no news for me?'' 
^* Drink wine!" quoth he, ''^For many Hke us go," 
** But none comes back again on earth to be! " 

466 

Life's hidden wellspring thy lip doth possess! 
Let not cup's lip to thy lip kisses press ! 

If the cup's blood I drink not, I 'm no man, 
For whose the lip that should thy lip caress? 

467 

That which I am, I am by Thy decree, 
A hundred years Thy grace hath fostered me ; 
A hundred more I still would sin to learn 
If my sin greater or Thy clemency. 



465. N. 412. L. 720. P. 407. As though by his aged appearance 
he had come from the other world. 

466. C. 353. N. 352. L. 626. P. 349. W. 394. Addressed to the 
beloved. 

467. N. 353. L. 632. W. 395. P. 350. C. 356. Line 2 L. reads 
"I am nourished in ease by thy comfort." Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

156 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

468 

*'Take cup and tankard, dearest Heart," I said, 
*'Bear by the stream's marge round the grassy mead. 
For many a slender, moon-faced fofm, Heaven's 
wheel 
A hundred times to cups and jugs hath made." 

469 

Of old and new wine we are buyers, then 
Sell Heaven for two tiny seeds of grain ; 

Would'st thou know where thou goest after death? 
Set wine before me and go where thou'rt fain. 

470 

Who in the world hath not sinned, prithee say? 
If any man sin not, how lives he pray? 

What is the difference 'twixt Thee and me? 
If I do ill. Thou dost with ill repay. 



468. N. 354. L. 625. See quatrain 671. (B 147.) W. 396. P. 351. 
C. 352. 

469. N. 355. L. 635. W. 397. P. 352. "Janat," Heaven, according 
to L. The others have "Alam," the world. C. 358 is similar in last bait. 
My copy is apparently defective. It runs freely: "O false one, who heed'st 
not thy pledge' below, And of two da5^s who know'st not one or two; Dost 
ask me where thou wilt go after death? Set wine before! and go where 
thou would'st go!" 

470. N. 356. L. 639. W. 398. P. 353. 

157 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

My body's life and all my strength Thou art ! 
My heart and soul are Thine, O Soul and Heart ! 

Thou art my being and completely mine ! 
I am all Thine, since I 'm of Thee a part ! 

472 

Thou, who like ball at Fortune's mallet's blow 
To left (wine drinking) or to right dost go, 

Say naught! For He who tossed thee down mid race 
And search, doth know, yea He doth know, doth know! 

473 
Thy light gives sight to tiny insect's eyes. 
Thy strength's imparted to weak limbs of flies. 

Thy nature worthy is of Thee, O, Lord ! 
And far from Thee unworthy qualities ! 



471. L. 641. W. 400. 

472. C. 357. L. 633. W. 401. Man compared to a ball in the 
game which corresponded very much to our game of polo. F. 70. It is 
the Moslem belief that the wicked at the Judgment will turn to the left. 

473. L. 630. W. 402. 

158 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

474 
O, thou, my soul's ease, welcome joyfully ! 
Thou comest and I am not sure of thee. 

For God's love (not my heart's), drink so much 
wine 
That who thou art is all unknown to me! 

475 
The day that's past from you bear not in mind; 
The morrow to fret o'er be not inclined; 

Of what has come and past rest not secure, 
Live gaily now, nor cast life to the wind. 

476 

Live blithely for Time will be passing by. 
And every soul will for its body cry. 

Yon skull-cup that you see with passion filled, 
Beneath the feet of potters soon will lie. 



474. N. 440. L. 724. P. 434. 

475. N. 334. L. 619. P. 331. C. 348. 

476. C. 183. N. 139. L. 386. P. 139. A satirical allusion to the 
belief that on the Resurrection Day, the soul seeks to be reunited to its life 
companion, the body. L. for "passion filled," line 3, reads "somewhat." 

159 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

477 
When They a stranger to myself make me, 
And but a tale my life and memory, 

(Although the word I fear to speak) would that 
They 'd make my clay a tavern-jar to be ! 

478 

Heaven, Houris, Kausar's fount exist, they say. 

And there pure wine and honeyed sweets have they ; j 

Fill up and pass the cup ! For better cash 
Than is a thousand promises to pay. 



479 
If wine you drink, with wise men let it be. 
Or with fair tulip-cheeked ones laughingly ; 
Drink seldom, tell it not, nor practice it. 
Drink little, now and then, but secretly ! 



477. N. 154. P. 154. 

478. C. 133. N. 169. L. 297. P. 168. Houris, nymphs of Paradise. 
L. for "better," reads "sweeter." 

479. N. 212. L. 416. P. 211. C. 221. This quatrain is worthy of 
Polonius. It would seem to be a sly hit at the hypocrisy of certain of 
the orthodox. C. and L. for "tulip-cheeked" read "smooth-cheeked." 
C. begins "continually drink wine with the wise!" 

160 



ii 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

480 

What power, O Soul, was it that raised thee e'er? 
The moon to thy sweet face doth not compare; 
Earth's fair adorn their faces with the Feast, 
But thy dear face maketh the Feast more fair ! 

481 

If I my destiny could regulate, 

Free from concern of good or evil fate, 

Here in this barren life not to have come. 
Nor been, nor parted were the better state ! 

482 

You see, boy, taper, wine and moonlight there. 
And sweetheart as the purest ruby fair; 

Uplift from earth this heart afire, nor give 
It to the wind, but water hither bear ! 



480. L. 658. C. 367. Lines 1 and 2. lit. "O Soul what power was 
it that raised thee ? For compared to thy face the moon wanes!" A face 
of gracefully curved contour or radiant as the moon is one of the extrava- 
gant comparisons of Persian compliment. 

481. N. 450. P. 444. See quatrain 597. Ascribed also to Sanai. 

482. C. 382. L. 682. N. 438. P. 433. L. and C. vary in line 2. 
"And sweetheart overcome with wine." C. line 4, reads "wine without 
water." Also ascribed to Attar. Note reference to Four Elements. 

161 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

483 
How long grieve over cares the Fates bestow, 
With heart blood filled and eye with tears aflow ? 

Drink wine, and joyous, strive to be content 
Or ever you beyond this orbit go ! 

484 

The inn I sought with faith of devotee. 
And with the Magian belt I girded me. 

The tavern boy (so bad my name) my clothes 
Threw out of doors and washed the hostelry. 

485 

Boy ! wine of redbud's hue pour in the bowl ! 
For at the lip from grieving is my soul ; 

And be thou as I am in ecstasy. 
At once be freed from self and earth's control ! 



483. L. 750. 

484. L. 123. "And with the Magian belt," etc., i. e., I drank wine. 
See note to q. 327. The mocking humor of the idea that Khayyam was 
so bad that his presence was a reproach to tapsters is highly characteristic. 

485. N. 428. P. 423. Line 1, lit. "Pour wine like the redbud, O, 
Saki!" Line 2 means apparently "I am expiring." I must bring wine 
to the lip to stay my soul. 

162 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

486 

If while thou art on earth the power be thine. 
No instant live sans cupbearer and wine. 

For many have found out ere thee and me. 
To none does Fortune to be kind incline. 

487 

If thou art wise be not the slave of Greed, 
Nor fallen its prey, a vain Ambition heed; 

Nor be as earth's dust driven by every wind, 
But keen as fire, as running water freed. 

488 

Since at Death's hands no quarter we receive. 
Vintner, make haste a stoup of wine to give ! 

Let us not fret, boy, o'er our heart's concerns. 
For these few days that here on earth we live ! 



486. L. 715. C. 407. C. line 2 reads "Have a care, you live not save 
for the moment." 

487. C. 359. L. 638. W. 403. Lines 3 and 4 are transposed 

488. L. 688. C. 388. 

163 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

489 

How long wilt prate of earthly grief and pain ? 
Arise! Be joyful as the moments wane! 

Since Earth's face, end to end is veiled in green, 
Of ruby wine the brimming beaker drain ! 

490 

Heart's hand ne'er touched the ringlet of Delight; 
Content's cup to the lips was ne'er brought quite; 
Alas ! toward night my day of life doth draw. 
One day to my heart's wish ne'er reaches night. 

491 

In drunken sleep a graybeard I did see; 
Bereft of mortal sense he seemed to be; 

O'ercome by drink, his tipsy sleep disturbed, 
"His servants God doth favor ! " muttered he. 



489. C. 265. N. 258. L. 483. P. 257. 

490. L. 662. 

491. L. 660. Line 2, lit. "From the circle of knowledge of his body's 
house he was departed." 

164 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

492 

If in my bosom rest a red-lipped fair, 
Grape-juice to Khizer's water doth compare; 

Though Venus minstrel be and Jesus friend, 
The loved one gone, Joy has no dwelling there. 

493 
Saki, a cup ! for God is skilled indeed. 
And gracious, doth His servants' pleadings heed; 

Drink wine in Spring nor barter service, for 
God for His creatures' duty hath no need! 

494 
Wilt thou hold me in grief apart from thee? 
Or me possess, in joyous unity? 

What way thou should'st use me I tell thee not. 
Just as thy heart doth dictate treat thou me. 



492. L. 152. Khizer's water, the water of life. The Moslems claim 
many of the prophets, saints and martyrs of the Jewish and Christian 
religions as but the forerunners of Mahomet. Likewise they recognize in 
tradition much of the Greek mythology. When the loved one is absent 
there is no joy even iii wine. Line 4, lit, "When the heart is not in place, 
joy is absent." 

493. L. 20. God needs not our obedience and still less will He ask 
it of His creatures. 

494. L. 25. 

165 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

495 

"Pray drink no wine, or you will grieve! " they say, 
"And all afire you'll be on Judgment day!" 

This may be, but more sweet than both the worlds 
That instant is when you from wine are gay ! 

496 
Saki, that wine that thy red lip doth bear 
While I have breath, my heart will give up ne'er; 
I 'm filled with longing, though thou deem'st 
me bold. 
Yet my presumption springs from love's despair ! 

497 
How sweet in jar's throat is wine's melody. 
And strain of song to flute's soft minor key ! 

With each bewitching fair and limpid wine 
How sweet the bumper from the world's care free! 



495. N. 445. L. 748. P. 439. C. 423. 

496. L. 153. "Despair," lit. "extremity." 

497. L. 149. C. 45. Melody, lit. gurgle. "Hai hai," a bumper, a 
large glass of wine. "Limpid," "nab," pure, undiluted. Minor key, 
"nala" wail, lament, the words "minor key," well express the meaning of 
the original, semi-tonic progression being a characteristic feature of much 
Oriental music. 



166 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

498 

Awake, O man of virtue strong and wise ! 
Say to yon child of crumbling clay, ** Arise!" 

Then "Heedless, you are trampling under foot 
The brain of Kai Kobad, and Perwiz' eyes ! " 

499 
How long of temple-incense, mosque-lamp tell ? 
How long of Heaven's rewards or pains of Hell ? 
See, from all time " What is to be, will be ! " 
The Lord of Fate did on the Tablet spell ! 

500 

Since thy death but a dying once can be, 
Die once then, since there is no remedy. 

For this robe, blood-stained, wrought of skin and 
veins. 
When 'tis disused why then this sympathy? 



498. C. 235. L. 433. "Child," i.e., the potter. Kai Kobad and 
Khosrau Perwiz, two kings of Persia. C. reads line 3, "Strike not heed- 
lessly," and line 4, for "eyes," "blood." 

499. L. 218. C. 95. C. reads "The Eternal Master." 

500. L. 72. 

167 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Now that the nightingale to song doth wake, 
Do naught save ruby wine with revellers take; 

Arise and come ! in gladness blooms the rose ; 
These tew days mid the flowers your joyance make ! 

502 

In Love's inn glorious is this name of mine, 
My lot is drinking and to worship wine; 

I am the world's soul in this Magian cell, 
My body this life's image is, in fine. 

503 
Bearer, a cup for heart's lamp fire ne'er takes 
Till at wine's flame a new existence wakes; 

Out on thy red lip's wine ! To its pure draught 
Whoe'er sets lip that red lip ne'er forsakes! 



501. C. 349. N. 323. L. 620. P. 320. "Nightingale" line 1 "hazar 
dastan," lit. "the thousand tales," a species so called because of its many- 
notes. Lit. "Now that the thousand tales his tale doth sound." L. varies 
in line 3 "Rise, come! for roses joyously cry out, 'these few days,' " etc. 
This quatrain has a double rhyme, "dastan dastan," "mastan, mastan," 
"bastan, bastan." Line 2 "with revellers" lit. "at hands of drinkers." 
Line 4 variant but synonymous. 

502. L. 145. C. 15 varies line 1, and is apparently corrupt in other 
lines; line 1 reads "In the tavern of Thought wine rules my heart." 

503. L. 139. Line 4, lit. "Whoe'er sets lip ne'er takes lip away." 

168 



I 

i 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

504 

For me here wine and sweetheart quite suffice, 
My soul on past or future ne'er relies, 

Of drunk or sober naught the heart doth know. 
My quest of both worlds but an instant is. 

505 
Though thou art high. Fate will to dust bring thee. 
And from soft luxury to beggary ; 

In brief, then, avoid ignorance as thou may'st. 
Lest want Fate bring thee, do no injury ! 

506 

From your door, Saki, we will never stray. 
Though you may kill us, that will not dismay; 

Though from the dust you '11 not raise us, our 
heads 

We will not take from out your passageway. 



504. L. 146. 

505. L. 148. "Fate," lit. "They," which is constantly used, meaning 
the Fates or Fate and Fortune, 

506. L. 151. 

169 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

With pride let not greed in your heart remain, 
For no one clogged by pride can place attain ; 

Be yielding as the ringlet of the fair, 
Or e'er your senses' thread doth snap in twain. 

508 

Saki, though you were based like walls, on stone. 
By Death's tide you would soon be overthrown ; 

The soul 's but air ! O bearer, bring me wine I 
O, minstrel sing! The world is dust alone! 

509 
O, Shah! To thee Heaven lotted sovereignty! 
Saddled for thee the steed of empery ! 

And where thy moving charger, golden-hoofed. 
Sets foot on clay, earth gilded seems to be ! 



507. L, 749. He who is ambitious, must abandon pride. 

508. L. 689. C. 389. 

509. B. 70. W. 506. Perhaps addressed to Malik Shah. 



170 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

The cup fill ! For dawn light as snow doth turn, 
And from the wine that 's ruby, color learn ! 

Take two sweet aloe logs, make bright the feast ! 
Then shape a lute from one, the other burn ! 

When Love Eternal first my being wrought. 
Love's lesson from the very first He taught; 

The filings of my heart's dust made a key 
Then for the treasures of immortal thought ! 

'T is best all things save grape-juice to forego. 
That best, pavilion beauties' hands bestow, 

A Kalender best, drinking, wand'ring free, 
A wine-draught 's best from Moon to Fish below ! 



510. B. 98. Last line may also be rendered "Play one then as a 
lute, the other burn." The word " 'ud" means aloe wood and also a lute. 

511. L. 311. F. 76. C. page 33, margin, begins "when the Eternal 
Being," etc. 

512. B. 133. C. 370. N. 358. P. 355. W. 404. L. 672. L. reads 
"Hakk," truth, and N. "kharram," joy, instead of "mai," wine, in line 
1, Moon to Fish, "MahtaMahi," the fish that supported the earth, mean- 
ing all creation. B. line 2, "enrapt pavilion beauties." 

171 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Wake, Saki ! for the day dawn 's bright and fair. 
With last night's wine for me the cup prepare. 

With loved ones drink we and make glad to-day. 
For the To-morrow naught for thee will care. 

O, friend, for Fortune undisturbed remain, 
Nor for Time's changes fret yourself in vain. 
Since on your body this life's garb is torn. 
What matters said or done, what matters stain? 

515 
You, who have not done good but ill alone. 
Thus trusting in God's favor to atone; 

Do not on pardon rest, for never yet 
Was done as undone, nor undone as done. 



i 



513. L. 691. C. 391. "To-day," "Ain yekdam-i-umar," "this one 
instant of life." 

514. N, 360. L. 645. W. 405. P. 357. 

515. N. 361. W.406. P. 358. C. page 95, margin, second quatrain. 
This quatrain is attributed to Abu Sa'id Abu'l Khair and is said to be an 
answer to quatrain 527. 

172 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Like an inverted bowl behold these skies 
Whereunder fallen helpless are the wise. 

Regard the bottle's friendship for the cup, 
Lip to lip, between life blood fallen lies. 

With my moustache I 've swept the wine-house sill ; 
I 've bade farewell to both worlds' good and ill ; 

Should both the worlds roll in the street like balls, 
A grain, when drunk and drowsed I 'd rate them still. 

518 

The drops wept, **We are severed from the sea." 
The sea laughed, "For we are all one," said he, 
" In truth there is no other God, we 're all ; 
Though one point circling seems apart to be." 



516. B. 134. C. 366. N. 363. L. 657. W. 408. P. 360. Note that 
there is no apparent relation between the baits of this quatrain. F. 72. 
B. reads "Choose," for "Regard," line 3. C. begins "Behold this base of 
the sphere overturned," "Underneath the hearts of the wise have fallen!" 

517. B. 132. N. 364. L. 654. W. 409. P. 361. 

518. N. 365. W. 410. Pantheism, pure and simple. 

173 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

How long shall I fret for what I Ve not got, 
Or if content or not I '11 pass my lot? 

The wine-cup fill ! since 't is not known to me 
If I this breath I draw breath out or not. 

520 

Give not yourself to grief for fate unkind, 
Nor call sad thoughts of parted ones to mind. 

Yield not your heart save to sweet fairy lips. 
Sans wine be not, nor cast life to the wind ! 

521 
How long of mosque, prayer, fasting preach to me? 
Get drunk in taverns though by beggary. 

Khayyam, drink wine, for from your clay they '11 
shape I 

A goblet, pitcher or a jar, maybe. 



519. B. 136. N. 366. L. 740. W. 411. P. 362. C. page 93, 
margin, and repeated C. 422. F. 14 second edition. 

520. B. 137. N. 367. L. 643. W. 412. P. 363. Line 3, "sweet 
fairy lips" B. has "one jasmine-bosomed and fairy-born," and L. "one 
with curls." 

521. N. 368. W. 413. P. 364. 

174 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

522 

Lo, Zephyr rends the rose's robe in twain, 
Her beauty bulbuls praise in joyous strain; 

Sit we 'neath this rose shade, for many a rose 
Wind strewn in earth has turned to earth again ! 

523 
Suppose the world to your wish goes, what then? 
And this life's volume read suppose, what then? 

I take it that you live a hundred years. 
Another hundred add to those, what then? 

524 
Know'st why the cypress and the lily free 
Reputed are in mouths of men to be ? 

This has ten tongues but silent is and that 
A hundred hands and yet ungrasping she. 



522. B. 135. N. 370. L. 671. W. 414. P. 366. F. 9. Line 3 L. 
reads "Drink wine, for many a rose." Also ascribed to Attar, 

523. N. 372 L. 666. W. 415. P. 368. C. 368. 

524. N. 373. L. 665. W. 416. P. 369. The word "azada," free, 
means lily and also cypress. 

175 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Boy, place within my hand delicious wine, 
The cup as beauty bright, place it in mine. 

Give me that which, the foolish and the wise 
As in a chain together doth entwine. 

526 

Alas ! that this my life has passed in vain, 

Forbid each mouthful, no thought free from stain ; 

My face made black by God's commands undone, 
Alas ! for deeds that He did not ordain ! 

527 

We stay here trusting in Thy grace alone 
Apart from sin or merit of our own. 

For where Thy mercy is, it may be that. 
Not done as done is, done is as not done. 



525. N. 374. L. 663. W. 417. P. 370. Also ascribed to Hafiz. 

526. N. 375. L. 646. C. page 92 margin. W. 418. P. 371. The 
Moslem belief is that the wicked will appear at the Resurrection with 
black faces. 

527. N. 379. L. 673. W. 420. P. 375. C. page 95 margin. 
First quatrain, ^scribed to Ibn Sina (Avicenna). 

176 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

528 

This is the form Thou gav'st my being, Lord ! 
And there a hundred marvels dost record; 

I cannot better be than this since Thou 
Forth from Thy crucible me thus hast poured. 

529 
O, thou hast gone, and bent come back again, 
Thy name is lost forever among men. 

Thy nails together grown as hoofs become. 
Behind, thy beard a tail is growing then ! 

530 
O, Lord ! to Thee great and small worship pay. 
'T is best in both worlds in Thy courts to pray. 

Affliction Thou dost take, and givest joy. 
O, Lord ! of Thy grace give and take away ! 



528. N. 380. L. 652. W. 421. P. 376. C. page 93 margin. 

529. C. 372. L. 668. W. 423. Addressed to an ass laden with bricks 
which Omar saw at the maddrassah in Nishapur and which Omar pre- 
tended embodied the soul of a former teacher. 

530. L. 677. W. 422. 

177 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Oh, you who to the world's affairs are blind, 
You are naught, for you rest on naught but wind ! 

Life's bounds are 'twixt two non-existences. 
And your life 's naught, therein whelmed and confined 

Each morn I say, "To-night I will relent. 
Nor be on cup or brimming bowl intent." 

Now Spring has come, in time of roses, Lord 
Give me repentance that I did repent! 

533 
Study of science you had best beware ; 
And best hang o'er the tress-tip of the fair 

And ere that Fortune shed your best life-blood. 
Best shed the flask's blood in the cup to share. 



531. L. 656. W. 424. C. 364. Blind, lit. ignorant, unknowing. 
Line 4, lit. "And thy life's environs in the midst thereof are naught," C. 
varies in second bait. 

532. L. 655. W. 425. C. 363. F. 7. F. 94. 

533. B. 131. C. 371. N. 359. L. 670. W. 426. P. 356. N. and 
P., line 1, read "Science and devotion." 

178 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

534 
Can you not, Heart, the riddle's secret gain? 
Nor make the subtlety of wise men plain ? 

Here make your Heaven with wine and cup; for 
you 
The place where Heaven is may, — may not attain. 

535 
O, cup-bearer! those who have gone before 
Sleep in the dust of pride for evermore ; 

Go, boy, drink wine and hear the truth from me, 
You '11 find but empty wind is all their lore. 

53^ 
When at the Loved One's feast, O Heart, you sit. 
Severed from self, you 're joined to Self complete. 
And when you drain the mortal cup, you are 
Of Being and Non-being wholly quit ! 



534. B. 143. C. 415. N. 383. L. 733. W. 427. P. 379. 

535. B. 140. C. 379. N. 384. L. 687. W. 428. P. 380. F. 26. 
line 2, "Sleep in the dreams of pride." 

536. C.401. N. 386. L. 704. W. 429. P. 382. A mystical quatrain. 

179 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

537 
Though I am wont with wine enrapt to be, 
Why should the people ever censure me? 

Would that all things forbidden made men drunk. 
For ne'er on earth I 'd see sobriety. 

538 

O, thou the offspring of the Seven and Four ! 
I know the Four and Seven thou frettest o'er. 

Drink wine ! for more than four times I 've told 

thee 
When gone, thou 'rt gone ! Thou wilt return no 

more ! 

539 
A thousand snares Thou settest in my way, 
And threatenest if I step therein to slay ; 

Thou mak'st Thy law and me dost rebel call. 
Though nowise is the world free from Thy sway ! 

537. N. 387. L. 695. W. 430. P. 383. C. 395. Also ascribed to 
Hafiz. 

538. C. 410. N. 389. L. 723. W. 431. P. 385. Four elements, 
seven planets or heavens. In line 3 L. and C. have "hazar," a thousand, 
instead of "chahar," four. C. 377 is similar to above and reads, "Saki, 
how long discuss the Seven and Four? How long the Four, the Seven, 
the Eight talk o'er? From time to time, O minstrel, sound thy note! 
Since life flies fast, haste boy, set wine before!" 

539. B. 148. W. 432. F. 80. See quatrain 661. 

180 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

540 

O, Thou whose essence wit can never know, 
Who heedest not the good or ill we do, 

Though drunk with sin. Thy hope doth sober me. 
That is : I trust Thou pardon wilt bestow ! 

541 
Were life but following authority 
Each day in turn a festal day would be. 

Every one then would grasp his heart's desire. 
Were it not for vain threats of penalty. 

542 
O, Sphere ! you still do thwart my heart's desire. 
And rend apart my festival attire, 

You turn to dust the water I would drink. 
The air wafted to me you change to fire. 



540. N. 391. L. 699. W. 433. P. 386. 

541. N. 392. W. 434, P. 387. "Taklid," imitation, in the sense of 
the blind following of precedent, or authority. If that were all, life were 
an easy matter. See F. 62. 

542. N. 393. L. 701. W. 435. P. 388. C. page 103 margin. I have 
transposed lines 3 and 4. 

181 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



543 



In gardens why are green grapes sour, O pray? 
When winter comes sweet, wine made sour are they ? 

From wood if one a lute make with an adze, 
And it turn out a flute, what would you say? 

544 
Thou know'st, O Sweetheart, though thou absent be. 
Thou ne'er hast (in this bosom) gone from me, 

Yet none thou sendest nor dost ever ask 
What passeth o'er my head while far from thee. 

545 
Since odds 'twixt hand and foot I could divine. 
This Fortune base her hand hath closed to mine; 

Alas that Fate will place in the account 
What time I 've lived apart from love and wine ! 



4 

m 



543. N. 425. L. 730. W. 462. P. 420. As if there were no apparent 
purpose in creation. L., line 4, reads "What of the thicket which grows 
reeds, then, would you say?" 

544. L. 9. 

545. L. 86. 

182 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

546 
O, Soul ! if from the body's dust set free 
You soar a sprite in Heaven's infinity, 

Which is your mansion, shame upon you, then, 
That you come dwelHng on this earth to be. 

547' 
Potter ! if prudent, let your hand be stayed ! 
How long will you the clay of man degrade ? 

Of what think you ? thus setting on your wheel 
Feridun's fingers and Kai Khosrau's head! 

548 

O, rose ! thou 'rt like that face my heart doth rend ! 
Thou wine! that ruby the soul joy doth lend; 
O, striving Fortune thou each moment art 
More strange, and yet thou seemest like a friend ! 



546. B. 145. C. page 96 margin. N. 394. L. 707. W. 436. P. 
389. F. 44. "Dust," line 1, C, N. and P. read "griefs." Also ascribed 
to Fakhr uddin, to Badihi Salgavandi and Ahmad Budeili. 

547. N. 395. L. 711. C. page 99 margin, repeated margin page 100. 
W. 437. P. 390. Feridun and Kai Khosrau, kings of Persia, the former 
the sixth king of the Peshdadian dynasty, the latter known as Cyrus. 

'Sar," head, according to L. and C. N. and P. read "kaf," hand. 

548. N. 396. W. 438. P. 391. Also ascribed to Ansari. 

183 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

549 
Ah, would there were a place to rest from pain 
Or that the way we might at last attain 

After ten myriad years and from earth's heart 
Like new blown verdure might revive again ! 

Since Thou at first to me becam'st a friend. 
Why then thereafter from myself dost rend ? 

And since Thou did'st not leave me at the first. 
Why here on earth dost keep me to the end? 

How long, O, friend, with body that doth tire, 
The world to trace with eager foot aspire? 

All things that come and pass, depart and go, 
And not one moment suiteth thy desire. 



549. N. 400. L. 768. C. 427. W. 442. P. 395. F. 97. "Sad 
hazar," "a hundred thousand," i. e., ten myriad. 

550. N. 399. L. 761. W. 441. P. 394. 

551. L. 648. C. 365. 

184 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

I ope'd Love's book, to find an augury, 
At once an ardent one in ecstasy 

Cried, *' Who at home a moonlike sweetheart hath 
And night year long, ah, glad indeed is he!" 

553 
With Winter's passing and Spring's coming on 
The leaves of our life's book close, one by one. 

*' Drink wine, nor grieve" the sage saith, '*for 
care is 
Poison and antidote save wine there's none." 

554 
Last night the cup I dashed against a stone. 
Base was the act, my head with wine was flown. 

The cup cried out to me in mystic tone, 
**I was like thee, my case will be thine own." 

552. N. 401. L. 762. W. 443. P. 396. C. page 104 margin. 
"Love's" C. and L. read "Life's book," and L., for "moonlike sweet- 
heart," reads "day like a month." 

553. C. 420. N. 402. L. 745. W. 444. P. 397. The Persians say 
"to consume grief" instead of consumed by grief. Literally to eat grief. 
See note to quatrain 294. 

554. B. 146. C. 403. N. 404. L. 706. W. 446. P. 399. "In mys- 
tic tone," "bi zaban-i-hal," in the tongue of the case, that is to say in 
the language of the occasion, or fittingly, or as a cup might be supposed 
to speak. This phrase is not infrequent. B. reads, line 2, for "mast" 
lit. "drunk," "khush," happy. 

185 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

555 
My heart is saddened by hypocrisy 
Saki, arise! and bring bright wine to me. 

The prayer-mat and mantle pawn for wine, 
So then my boasts may rest in surety. 

556 

If thou art wise, thyself examine, see 
What thou did'st bring, what tak'st away with thee. 
Thou say'st '' I '11 not drink wine, since I must 
die." 
But drink or no, thou 'It die for certainty. 

557 
Door-opener Thou art, then open, pray ! 
And since Thou art my guide, show me the way ! 

I '11 not give hand to other hand-takers. 
All fleeting they, but Thou abid'st for aye! 



555. 


N. 


407. 


W. 447. 


P. 


402. 






556. 


N. 


408. 


L. 719. 


W. 


448. 


P. 403. 


C. 428. 


557. 


N. 


409. 


L. 726. 


W. 


449. 


P. 404. 


C. 413. 



186 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

558 
If remedy you'd find, then bear with pain, 
Lament not sufl"ering, if cure you'd gain, 

And thankful be in time of helplessness 
If aid to end your grief you would obtain. 

559 
Thou say'st from malice what thou say'st to me. 
And call'st me *' Skeptic, atheist!" constantly. 

I am all that thou sayest I confess, 
But pray, is malice well befitting thee? 

560 

A skin of red wine, book of poesy. 
Bread, a half loaf, enough for life give me. 
Then sitting in some solitude with thee 
Were sweeter than the Sultan's empery ! 



558. N. 411. L. 760. W. 451. P. 406. 

559. N. 410. C. 419. L. 744. W. 450. P. 405. Evidently directed 
at some orthodox critic. 

560. B. 149. N. 413. W. 452. P. 408. F. 12. Wine and other 
liquids in the East were transported largely in skins in Omar's day. 

187 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

561 
How long preach, Saki, of the five and four ? 
One problem or a hundred thousand more; 

We are but earth O, bearer, sound the lute! 
We are but air, Saki set wine before ! 

562 

While bone, vein, sinew this your frame array, 
Strive not to step outside your destined way; 

Cringe not, although Rustam-i-Zal 's your foe, 
Nor boon from friend seek, were he Hatim Tai. 

563 
Though ruby lips and wine-cup you desire. 
Still following sounds of tabor, pipe and lyre. 

All these are vain, God knows, and you are naught 
Until you have renounced the world entire. 



561. N. 414. W. 453. P. 409. The five senses and the four elements. 
What are these problems in the face of our mortality? 

562. N. 416. C. 421. L. 746. W. 455. P. 411. Rustam, son of 
Zal, one of the three most famous Persian warriors. Hatim Tai, an Arab 
chief, the exemplar of hospitality. F. 10. 

563. N. 417. L. 755. W. 456. P. 412. 

188 



4 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

564 
O'er Yasin and Barat why Saki, fight? 
The draft Barat within some winehouse, write! 

The day our lot is in the tavern cast, 
That day, boy, shall be as Barat's great night ! 

565 

'Neath Heaven's relentless sphere your patience prove. 
Drink wine ! since in a world of woe you move ; 

Since your beginning and end are in earth. 
Think now you are not 'neath earth but above. 

566 

Although affairs to your wish never go. 
Be glad in what the moment doth bestow. 

Since of all secrets, boy, you are the soul, 
Why all this grieving vain and care below? 



564. C. 390. N. 415. L. 690. W. 454. P. 410. Yasin, 64th chap- 
ter of the Koran. Barat, 9th chapter of the Koran. Barat also means an 
order or draft, a lot. "Shab-i-Barat," the night of the Lot, commonly 
called the night of Power. A punning quatrain in which the various 
meanings of Barat are brought out. 

565. N. 418. C. 424. L. 765. W. 457. P. 413. 

566. C. 405. N. 419. L. 714. W. 458. P. 414. I follow L. The 
baits are transposed in the others. 

189 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

567 
Behold where'er I look, lo ! everywhere 
Heaven's verdure springs and Kausar's stream is there; 
And wastes as Heaven are; Hell is gone, you'd 
say; 
Sit in this Heaven then with a Heaven faced fair. 

568 

Seek not friends in this house of jugglery. 
Bear you with pain and seek no remedy. 

My counsel hear and look you do not speak. 
Mid grief sit cheerful, seek no sympathy. 

569 
Two saws are Wisdom's most essential. 
Of more worth than your lore traditional ; 
Better eat not than taste of everything ; 
Better live by yourself than mate with all ! 



567. B. 151. C. 406. N. 420. L. 713. W. 459. P. 415. B. varies 
in line 2: "In the garden flows (a stream) from the river Kausar." N. 
W. and P., in line 3, for "Hell is gone" read "changed from Hell." 
Kausar, the principal stream of Paradise. The quatrain is a vigorous 
description of the sudden coming of the verdure of Spring. 

568. N. 423. W. 460. P. 418. 

569. N. 424. W. 461. P. 419. 

190 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Do you know why when dawn makes light the sky 
The bird of morning sounds his constant cry ? 

In morning's mirror 'tis to show that from 
Your life a night has passed unheeded by. 

Give me the ruby, tulip-tinted wine, 

Draw from the flagon's throat blood of the vine. 

For save the wine-cup there is not to-day 
For me one friend at heart so genuine. 

572 

In wisdom though Aristo or Jamhur, 
And though in power Caesar or Faghfur, 

Drink wine from Jam's cup, for thy end 's the grave. 
Though Bahram's self thou wert, thy goal 's the *'gur." 



570. C. page 96 margin, also C. 426. N. 426. L. 767. W. 463. 
P. 421. L. variant but synonymous. Also ascribed to Abu Sa'id. 

571. B. 153. C. 418. N. 427. L. 693. W. 464. P. 422. Repeated 
L. 739. L. varies slightly. 

572. N. 430. W. 465. P. 425. Aristo, Aristotle. Jamhur, Buzur- 
jimihr philosopher of the sixth century and vizier of Nushirwan, famous 
for his wisdom. Faghfur, the Chinese emperor. Bahram, the celebrated 
hunter king called, from his fondness for the chase, "Bahram Gur," 
Bahram of the wild ass, because the pursuit of the "gur," wild ass, or 
onager, was his favorite sport. Word play is here introduced on the 
word "gur," grave. See quatrain 10. 

191 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

573 
A potter in his shop I paused to greet, 
And saw the master, foot on wheel, complete 

Covers and handles for his pots and jars 
Wrought from the heads of kings and beggars' feet ! 

574 
Hast sense? In witless ways seek thou to be 
And drink with drinkers of Infinity ! 

Art senseless ? Then not thine 's true ignorance ; 
Not every fool attains to ecstasy ! 

575 
Take every care. Beloved, while yet you may. 
The heart's grief of your lover to allay. 

This queendom of your charms lasts not for aye. 
But all at once slips from your hands away. 



573. N. 431. L. 698. W. 466. P. 426. C. 398. N., W. and P. 
read line 3 "for his vessels strong." And L. reads "Frail handles for 
pots and jars from monarchs' heads for beggars' hands." 

574. N. 432. L. 727. W. 467. P. 427. A mystical quatrain. Lose 
self consciousness in the contemplation of the Infinite. If you are a fool, 
i. e., incapable, you cannot become rapt in the Infinite. 

575. N. 434. L. 717. W. 469. P. 429. C. 400, line 3, reads 
"For this unstable world abides not with any one." 

192 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

576 

O Love! ere through the Door thy step inchne, 
Or potters mould jugs from my clay and thine, 
Fill thy cup from that flagon of good wine 
That harms not, drink, and then replenish mine. 

Ere you be drunken with the cup of Death, 
Or fallen low rude Fortune's blows beneath. 

Some substance gather here, for there, I trow, 
111 will he fare if naught in hand he hath. 

Of quick and dead Thou makest the estate. 
And Heaven's distracting wheel dost regulate; 

Though I am bad, of this slave Thou art Lord, 
Then why blame me, since me Thou did'st create? 



576. C. 392. N. 433. L. 692. W. 468. P. 428. The baits of this 
quatrain are reversed in C. and L. I follow N. and P. L. 12 and L. 680 
(19 and 658 in this translation) are similar. 

577. N. 435. L. 756. W. 470. P. 430. 

578. N. 436. L. 700. W. 471. P. 431. C. page 109 margin. 

193 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

579 
O, wine so pure and O, so crystalline ! 
So much I '11 drink in this mad state of mine 

Of thee, that all who see me from afar 
Will cry, ''Whence dost thou come, O Master Winer" 

580 

A Shaikh to harlot, *'You are drunk!" said he, 
"Each moment caught in some fresh snare!" Said 
she, 
"All that you say I am, O, Shaikh, Tam;" 
" But you, are you such as you seem to be?" 

581 

If Earth rolled in the gutter like a ball, 

When drunk and drowsed, a grain I 'd rate it all. 

Last night they pawned me at the inn for wine, 
"A fine pledge thou I " the taverner did call. 



579. N. 439. L. 741. (A slight variant in lines 1 and 2.) W. 472. 

580. N. 441. L. 709. W. 473. P. 435. 

581. N. 442. W. 474. P. 436. C. 394. 

194 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

582 

Sometimes concealed, Thou show'st Thy face to none, 
Again Thou dost existent forms put on; 

This splendor to Thyself Thou dost reveal, 
Thou art spectator, spectacle in one ! 

583 

If Earth's face populous thou mad'st to be. 
Than to make glad one heart 'twere less in thee; 

To bind one freeman in the bonds of love 
Were better than a thousand slaves to free ! 

584 

If knowing, thou for pleasure of thy heart 
Dost make a soul at peace with grief to smart. 
Go, thy misfortune bear and mourn thy wit 
Thy life long, for a wondrous fool thou art! 



582. N. 443. L. 705. W. 475. P. 437. C. 402. F. 52. 

583. N. 444. L. 747. W. 476. P. 438. Also ascribed to Abu Sa'id 
and to Ala-ud-daula Sem-nani. 

584. N. 446. L. 766. W. 477. P. 440. C. 425. 

195 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

585 

Whene'er there conies to hand two maunds of wine, 
To drink in all assemblies ne'er decline; 

For whoso does thus, sets his spirit free 
Of such as thy moustache or beards like mine ! 

586 

If bread you have made from the grain of wheat, 
Two maunds of wine, a mutton joint for meat. 

In some nook sitting with fair Tulip-cheeks, 
Not every Sultan hath such joy complete ! 

587 

They call you bad if in the city known. 
Suspect, if you in corners sit alone. 

Though Khizer or Elias you should be. 
Better of none be known and to know none. 



585. B. 156. C. 393. N. 447. L. 694. W. 478. P. 441. L.,B.and 
C. read, in line 3, "For He who made the world," etc. 

586. B. 155. C. 397. N. 448. L. 697. W. 479. P. 442. C. and 
L., line 3, for "Tulip cheeks" read "moon faced one." B., line 2, reads 
"a gourd of wine." 

587. N. 449. W. 480. P. 443. C. page 107 margin. "Khizer," see 
quatrain 330. You are called "bad," if a man about town, if reserved 
and abstracted in manner you are apt to be regarded as a dissembler or 
not quite right mentally. 

196 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

588 

Ours be dawn draught, beloved and wine, Saki ! 
True penitence shall not be mine, Saki! 

Saki, how long wilt preach of Noah to me ? 
Bring thou that light heart's ease of thine, Saki ! 

589 

I 'm powerless; to join thee I aspire 
And in thine absence I can scarce respire. 

My grief I dare not tell to any one. 
O vexed case ! rare passion ! sweet desire ! 

590 
'T is hour of dawn-draught and of cry, Saki! 
Here in the vintners' street am I, Saki ! 

What place for piety is this ? Peace ! Drink ! 
Traditions leave ! Devotion fly ! Saki ! 



588. N. 452. L. 679. W. 481. P. 446. C. 378. C. 375 is similar: 
' 'Especially at the time when thou and I, O Saki! Drink oft below upon 
the green, O Saki! How long concern thyself o'er this, O Saki? In 
pleasure 'tis that life is spent, O Saki!" 

589. N. 453. W. 482. P. 447. To the beloved. 

590. N. 454. L. 685. W. 483. P. 448. F. 3. C. 386. "Cry," see 
note to quatrain 678. 

197 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Idol, whose step brings joy ! 'T is break of day ! 
Set wine before and sound a tuneful lay, 

For this Tir coming and departing Dai 
Ten myriads cast to earth like Jam and Kai ! 

592 
Pray treat not drinkers with severity. 
Nor to the worthy show austerity. 

Drink wine ! for whether you drink wine or no, 
If doomed to Hell in Heaven you '11 never be. 

593 
Would God the world in other fashion frame ! 
And now that I might see to what it came ! 

Either mysteriously increase my store. 
Or else from off His roll remove my name ! 



591. C. 404. N. 455. L. 712. 
December, i. e., Spring and Winter. 
Cyrus. 

592. N. 456. L. 736. W. 485. 

593. N. 457. W. 486. P. 451. 



W. 484. P. 449. Tir, April. Dai, 
Jam, Jamshed. Kai, Kai Khosran, 

P. 450. C. 417. 

F. 98. I transpose lines 3 and 4. 

198 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

594 
Lord, ope to me the door of daily bread ! 
Without men's aid into Thy presence lead! 

Keep me so flown with Thine own wine, that I 
From witlessness have not an aching head ! 

595 
O, burning, burning, burnt, O, thou to be 
Consumed in fires of Hell made bright by thee ! 

How long **Have mercy, God, on Omar!" say? 
For who art thou to teach God clemency? 

596 
Rejoice ! for yesterday thy lot fixed They ! 
Secure from all thy clamors j^esterday! 

Be jocund ! for They, lacking thine accord 
Did yesterday thy morrow's fate array ! 



594. N. 458. L. 731. W. 487. P. 452. C. 412. 

595. N. 459. L. 769. W. 488. P. 453. A triple curse apparently 
aimed at his orthodox enemies. F. Introduction. 

596. B. 152. C. page 101 margin. L. 702. W. 489. B. reads for 
"clamors," line 2, "wishes," and L. reads, line 4, "Did yesterday 
appoint thy burial place to-morrow!" F. 74. 

199 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

597 
I 'd ne'er have come, could I have had my say, 
If mine were going, when should I go, pray? 

Were it not better in this world of dust. 
Neither to come, nor be, nor go away? 

598 

A flask is man, the soul as liquor bright, 

A pipe the heart, the voice therein, the sprite. 

Know you what man of clay is, O, Khayyam ? 
A magic lantern, and in it a light! 

599 
To all churls something you give. Sphere on high! 
Warm baths, mills, watercourses you supply. 

The upright pledge their goods for evening bread. 
Perhaps you'd give a pufl^'for such a sky! 



597. L. 732. B. 157. W. 490. C. 414. See quatrain 481. L., line 
3, for "in this world of dust" reads "in this ruined retreat." 

598. C. page 103 margin. W. 491. 

599. B. 142. W. 492. See quatrain 616. Line 4 is freely translated. 

200 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



ooo 



About a potter's shop I chanced to stray, 
At every breath with axe he beat away 

At earth ; if dullards see not, I perceive 
In every potter's hand my fathers' clay. 

6oi 

With wine and love, O Heart, by garden side, 
Dissemble not nor in pretence abide; 

If thou liv'st worthily thou shalt drink wine 
From that Fount where Murtaza doth preside. 

602 

Continually by lust of sense beset. 

Thy noble soul thou constantly dost fret ; 

Know'st thou not that the ruin of the soul 
Are these desires on which thy heart is set? 



600. L. 721. W. 493. F. 38. C. 409. 

601. N. 403. L. 770. W. 445. P. 398. Murtaza, Ali, the celestial 
cupbearer, the Prophet's son-in-law. 

602. L. 708. W. 496. 

201 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

603 

O Fortune! in thine acts confessed to be 
Within Oppression's cell a devotee. 

Thou givest base men wealth, the good unrest. 
Save these two is nor pearl nor pottery. 

604 

Thou essence of four elements! To me 
A word list from the world of mystery, 

For demon, angel, beast and man are joined. 
Yea, thou art all thou dost appear to be. 

605 

Would you that all mankind approve of you ? 
Accepted of the many and the few ? 

Speak ill of none, so be in good repute 
With true believer, Christian and with Jew. 



603. L. 716. W, 495. C. 408. Line 4 means apparently that all 
mankind is included in these two classes. C, line 3, "To some you give 
wealth, to others unrest." C. and W., line 4, read "Is this from folly or 
decrepitude?" 

604. L. 757. W. 497. Man in his varied aspects. 

605. L. 737. W. 498. 

202 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

606 

O, Sphere ! say truly what I 've done to thee, 
That in Life's race thou curb'st me constantly ? 

I get no bread till driven from street to street, 
Nor even water save dishonorably. 

607 

No longer vainly grieve ! Live happily ! 
And in Life's devious path, do equity ! 

And since the end of worldly things is naught. 
Think you are naught, and from concern live free ! 

608 

Where 's Badakhshan's red lip, that ruby rare ? 
That fragrant wine which frees the soul from care ? 

They say *'Wine is forbidden Mussulmans." 
Drink then ! nor grieve ! The Mussulman is where ? 



606. L. 735, W. 499. The above is not literal. More closely it runs as 
follows: "O, sphere, say truly what I've done to thee, that in the race 
thrown constantly at slow pace I am; thou giv'st me bread, but not until 
thou hast driven me from street to street; thou dost not give me water, 
save for water of my face," (/. e. at the expense of my honor.) "Ab-za- 
rui," meaning "honor," lit. "water from the face." 

607. B. 150. L. 729. W. 500. Line 2, lit. "And in a way that is 
without justice, do thou live with justice." 

608. N. 357. C. 360. L. 628. W. 399. P. 354. Badakhshan, noted 
for its rubies. Here red wine is meant. Where is he who does not drink 
wine? L., line 3, for "They say" reads "Although." 

203 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

609 

Last night on marge of stream I did recline 
With shapely fair and flask of rose-hued v/ine, 

Before us placed a shell, for whose pearl, forth 
Dawn's herald came, so brightly it did shine. 

610 

By Reason's dictates you should live; it may 
Be so to do that you know not the way, 

Your master Fortune, hence, his whip in hand 
Thus strikes your head that you learn to obey. 

611 

Love's infidels, not Mussulmans we are, 
And ants are we from Solomon afar. 

Seek from us sallow cheeks and garments torn. 
Elsewhere 's the muslin seller's gay bazaar. 



609. N. 333. W. 373. P. 330. Shell, the wine glass. Pearl, the 
wine. A truly Oriental extravagance that the wine should be so bright 
as to deceive the dawn crier. 

610. L. 602. W. 388. 

611. N. 55. L. 47. W. 58. P. 55. Solomon, the greatest, the ant, 
the least of creatures. See Koran, XVII. Also ascribed to Jalal uddin 
Rumi. 

204 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

612 

Nothing but smoke by this sect's fire is made, 
And hope of weal from any is gainsaid ; 

Compelled by hand of Fate, I lift my hands 
And clutch the skirts of men but find no aid. 

613 

Though people call me lewd continually, 
I 'm guiltless, 'tis their fancies fixed on me; 

On me in law-breaking! O, good folk, naught 
I 've done save drinking and debauchery ! 

614 

O, Heart! suppose all worldly wealth your own, 
Goods fill your home and bright caparison. 

Live blithely in this house of Life and Death, 
Suppose these few days resting — and then gone ! 



612. C. 105. N. 74. L. 224. W. 76. P. 74. An attack on his pious 
enemies. N. and P. begin "Of my sins' fire," etc., line 3, for "Fate's" 
read "men's." Also ascribed to Siraj uddin Qumri. 

613. C. 91. N. 88. L. 159. W. 90. P. 88. Line 4 is freely rendered. 

614. N. 199. P. 198. See quatrain 286. Ascribed to Shahi and 
Akifi. 

205 



THE aUATRAINS OF 

615 
Wine is a liquid ruby, flask the mine, 
The cup the body and the soul is wine ; 

That crystal goblet laughing with its juice, 
And yet like tears that heart's blood doth enshrine. 

616 

Something, O Sphere, to every churl you give, 
To some, mills, houses and the means to live; 

The upright (live) mid drones who set up shop, 
'T were well, O Sphere, could we these gifts receive! 

617 

Ten myriad Musas Sinai hath seen. 

And Time ten myriad Isas that have been ; 

The palace stands ten myriad Caesars passed. 
The dome that watched ten myriad Kasras, e'en ! 



615. L. 58. B. 39. W. 105. L., line 2, reads "The cup thy eye 
and its soul is wine." 

616. L. 728. See quatrain 599. Line 4, lit. "'Twere well O, 
Sphere, that of these things thou to us, too, did'st give!" 

617. L. 144. W. 121. Time endures but life is short. Musa, 
Moses; Isa, Jesus. Kasra, Khosrau or Cyrus. "Sad hazar," a hundred 
thousand, i. e., ten myriads. 

206 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

6i8 

Thy being from Another's doth proceed, 
Another's passion doth thy passion breed; 

Go, and within Thought's collar draw thy head. 
For by thy hand Another's hand is hid. 

619 

From lore to cup your bridle turn, inclined 
To Kausar and leave Heaven and Hell behind ; 
Your muslin turban sell for wine, nor fear ; 
A muslin shred then round your forehead bind. 

620 

They are but fools who worship mats for prayer, 
Since they Hypocrisy's hard burden bear. 

And strangest Islam they sell and are worje 
Than heathen, since Devotion's mask they wear. 



618. Blochmann. W. 131. Literally this quatrain is as follows: 
"This thy being is Another's being, and this thy passion (drunkenness) 
is Another's passion. Go, draw thy head into Thought's collar, for this 
thy hand (or forearm) is but the sleeve of Another's hand." 

619. N. 102. W. 132. P. 102. Give up learning (theological) for 
life's pleasures. Think of Kausar's fount of nectar (wine) but give no 
other thought to the future. Sell the emblem of dignity (the turban) for 
wine and be content with a shred of muslin in its place. 

620. C. 158. N. 114. L. 392. Directed at formalism in religion. 
W. 143. P. 114. 

207 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

621 

Happy the man who hath been all unknown, 
Nor corslet, mail, nor woolen garb doth own, 

And who haunts not earth's ruins like an owl, 
But like Simurgh to highest Heaven hath flown. 

622 

The worth of rose and wine sots know alone. 
To narrow hearts, close fists it is not shown 

Excusable in fools is ignorance. 
The joy of these delights to sots is known. 

623 

The Heavenly Sage thy secrets all doth see. 
Doth, hair by hair and vein by vein, know thee. 

Grant with deceit that men thou may'st beguile. 
How deal with Him since all things knoweth He? 



621. C. 181. N. 140. L. 362. W. 163. P. 140. Happy is he who 
has lived in retirement, being neither soldier nor Sufi (wearer of wool), 
nor posing as a recluse, but like Simurgh (a fabled bird, si-murgh, liter- 
ally, thirty birds, so called because of its size) seeking the highest. 

622. N. 141. C. 112. L. 231. W. 164. P. 141. "Delights" L. 
reads "wine." Also ascribed to Razi, and to Nimat allah Kirmani and 
Ansari. 

623. C. 110. N. 158. L. 250. W. 177. P. 158. Also ascribed to 
Rumi. 

208 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

624 

To prayer and fasting when my soul inclined, 
Methought attained the wishes of my mind ; 

Alas ! a half wine-draught annulled the fast, 
And my ablution a mere waft of wind. 

625 

To rose-faced fair inclines my very soul, 

My hand grasps constantly the brimming bowl, 

With every part my lot I will enjoy 
Before my parts seek union in the Whole. 

626 

A love that passeth, no real value shows. 

And with no warmth, like fire half-dead, it glows; 

The lover true, for months, years, day and night, 
Recks not of sleep nor food, ease nor repose ! 



624. C. 147. N. 162. L. 366. W. 180. P. 162. F. 93. The ablu- 
tions which precede prayer are subject to very precise rules to ensure 
their efficacy and that of the prayer. A half-draught of wine broke the 
poet's fast. So after the ablution any interruption of nature annulled its 
force. Apparently aimed at formalism in religion. 

625. C. 170. N. 163. L. 349. W. 181. P. 163. F. 44. Second 
edition . Pantheism . 

626. B. 71. N. 164. L. 294. W. 182. P. 164. "Passeth," line 1, 
"Majazi," passing, worldly, superficial, profane, as distinguished from 
true or Divine love. 

209 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

627 

Though rich, the toper comes to poverty, 
And stirs the world by his debauchery. 

That emerald in my ruby bowl I '11 pour 
That I may wholly blind Care's serpent eye. 

628 
How many in research a night till morn 
Ne'er toiled! How manv a fool fine clothes adorn! 

How many ne'er set foot beyond themselves! 
How many a reputation soiled and torn ! 

629 
Each dawn when dews the tulip's face o'erflow 
The violet in the garden bendeth low, 

Indeed the rosebud gives me joy, although 
Round herself closely she her robe doth throw. 

627. C. 192. N. 183. L. 333. W. 198. P. 183. Also ascribed to 
Malik Shams tiddin. Emerald, "zumurrud," which Nicolas explains is 
hashish, possibly because of the use of the word "hukka," casket, box or 
bowl, or pipe, but emerald may just as well mean wine in view of the 
peculiar use of the various color names by the Persians meaning wine, as 
"la'l," ruby, "mima," glass-like or blue, "sabza," green, as in quatrain 
857, where the latter word is played on in various senses. The emerald is 
believed by the Orientals to possess the power of blinding serpents. 

628. C. 179. N. 184. L. 266. W. 199. P. 184. Also ascribed to 
Magribi Tabrizi, Rumi andAnsari. Line 1, lit. "How many for one night 
are not borne to day-break in research!" and line 4, "How many a good 
name made infamous!" The first line apparently alludes to Omar's 
astronomical studies. 

629. B.82. L. 271. W. 210. Line 4, the closed petals of the bud. L. 
has "ghussa," grief, for "ghuncha," rosebud, in B. Line 3, lit. "Indeed, 
from the rosebud joy comes to me," and L., lines 3 and 4, "Indeed, 
from Grief to me Joy comes If the skirt of self one draws together." 

210 



4 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

630 

If Heaven deny me peace, come war alone ! 
And if good name I lack, be shame my own ! 

The cup of wine as ruby red-bud, see ! 
Who drinks not, for his head behold a stone ! 

631 

With cypress-slender maid, more freshly fair 
Than new plucked rose, wine cup and rose leaves 
share, 
Ere Death, as 'twere the vesture of a rose. 
With sudden blast thy robe of life shall tear ! 

632 

More useful we than you. City Mufti, 
With all this drinking soberer are we ; 

The blood of men you drink, we that of grapes. 
Be just, how can we more bloodthirsty be ? 



630. C. 260. N. 254. L. 478. W. 294. P. 253. 

631. C. 266. N.257. L. 488. W. 298. P. 256. Literally, "With one 
of cypress stature more fresh than the harvest of the rose, Set not from 
hand wine cup or skirt of the rose, Ere suddenly from Death's blast your 
garb of life becomes as the garb of the rose!" 

632. C.286. N. 264. L. 526, W. 307. P. 263. Mufti, an expounder 
or doctor of Mohammedan law, here a magistrate. An allusion to the 
selling of justice by Muftis. 

211 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

633 

One hand on Koran, on the cup one hand, 
We now to law incline, now toward things banned, 

Nor skeptics quite nor Mussulmans complete 
Beneath this dome of turquoise hue we stand. 

634 
Without pure wine I cannot life sustain. 
To drag the body's load I strive in vain ; 

I am that moment's slave when Saki says, 
"Yet one more cup!" and that I cannot drain! 

635 
What boots the coming, going of the race ? 
And life's woof found, where will you life's warp 
place ? 
Consumed so many pure men, turned to dust, 
Where in Heaven's dome is there of them a trace ? 



633. C. 288. N. 315. L. 527. W. 347. P. 314. Line 4, N. has 
"kham," untried, L. has "fam," colored, and W. "rukham," marble. 

634. C. 285. N. 460. L. 521. W. 360. Line 2, L., "Without the 
cup to drag," etc. 

635. B. 130. C. 355. N. 351. L. 624. W. 393. P. 348. Line 3, 
B. reads "So many delicate hands and feet, the world consumes to dust," 
etc., "men," lit. "jasm," bodies, L. and C. have "jan," souls. Also 
ascribed to Afzal Kazi and to Hafiz. 

212 



4 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

636 

I could repent of everything but wine ! 
And every other aid I could decline ; 

I never could turn Moslem, and this juice 
From quarters of the Magians resign ! 

637 
Earth's kitchen smoke consuming why remain? 
How long o'er "Is" and "Is not" fret in vain? 

A great loss to its people is the world ; 
That loss abjuring, you '11 enjoy all gain. 

638 

Seek not at night the people's hearts to smite. 
Lest nightly they pray God their wrongs to right; 

Nor riches, beauty, trust, for those the Fates 
May bear away, and this, — this very night. 



636. N. 377. L. 764. W. 419. P. 373. 

637. B. 144. N. 397. L. 710. W. 439. P. 392. B. varies in lines 3 
and 4, and is not wholly clear. "Would'st thou have a capital that 
decreases? The capital who will consume since thou consumest the gain?" 
You are too much concerned with the world. Why fret about it? Think 
of higher things. 

638. N.398. W. 440. P. 393. Nicolas says that this quatrain alludes 
to the methods of despotic government in the East, where midnight arrests 
of suspects and the confiscation of their property are frequent, and whose 
agents respect neither youth nor beauty. Line 2, lit. "Lest they cry out 
'O Lord!' at dead of night." 

213 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

639 
Pure ruby wine 's the jewel of our soul, 
With loud lament we put aside the bowl, 

For so much wine 's atop the wine we 've drunk. 
We 're over wine and yet in wine's control ! 

640 

Drink wine, for thy soul's ease 'twillever be. 
For wounded heart and soul thy remedy; 

If Sorrow's deluge would engulf thee, then 
Seize thou on wine, 'tis a Noah's ark to thee! 

641 

The world 's a breath, and I a breath alone ! 
How many breaths can one draw in but one? 

Grateful for life, rejoice! This faithless world 
Ne'er steadfast did abide with any one! 



639. L. 14. C. 2. C. reads for "pure," line 1, "ruby." Line 1, 
lit. "From pure wine the ruby has become our jewel." "Jewel," essence, 
soul, and line 4, lit. "Wine is over us and we over wine," 

640. L. 91. I 

641. L. 751. "Nafs," breath, moment. j 

214 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

642 

Debauched, to wine and tavern we repair; 
Hopeless of Mercy, naught for Pain we care, 

Soul, heart, cup, raiment filled with dregs of wine. 
We 're freed from earth and water, fire and air ! 

643 
Those who the pearls of Learning thread in thought. 
With fluent speech have of God's nature taught. 
But none the clue's end of the Secret knows. 
At first they prated, then they slumber sought! 

644 

Life's length beyond three-score seek not to trace; 
Nor, save drunk, anywhere thy foot to place; 
And ere thy skull they make into a bowl. 
Set not from back thy jar, from hand thy glass ! 



642. B. 7. See quatrain 53. Line 1, lit. "We are here with wine, 
tavern and debauched bodies." 

643. L. 325. Quatrain 273 is somewhat similar. W. 226, variant, in 
line 3, "Since ne'er expert in Heaven's mysteries." F. 65. 

644. L. 647. N. 362. W. 407. P. 359. B. 138 varies in line 1 and 
reads "As life advances lay not (thy course) from its aim." And L. 
begins "The thought of life beyond," etc. 

215 ^ 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

645 

The world's no place of joyance nor of rest, 
The wise man to be lost in wine were best; 

On Sorrow's fire then wine for water throw. 
Ere wind in hand you sink into Earth's breast. 

646 

O, Sage, mere hope 's the morrow's prophecy. 
And boast of fortune mere insanity ; 

To-day is like its fellows wise men know, 
For the whole world a single Soul must be. 

647 

Wine is good though called bad in God's command. 
And sweet 'tis when in youthful loved one's hand; 

'T is bitter and forbid, yet sweet to me; 
For always things are pleasant which are banned. 



645. L. 93. Lost "kharab," syn. ruined, drunk. Wind in hand, 
i. e., empty handed. Here used to complete the reference to the four 
elements. 

646. L. 73. The Vedantic doctrine of an all pervading, self-existent 
essence. 

647. C. 46. L. 68. "God's command," "shar'," Divine law. 

216 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

648 

If one as Houri fair by marge of lea, 

In Springtime sweet a brimming cup give me, 

Though men this speech deem bad, if then I call 
On Heaven, than I a dog would better be! 

649 

When my heart gets no solace for its pains, 
My soul the lip but not its end attains; 

My life reaches its goal unconsciously. 
But ne'er the tale of love its object gains. 

650 

The bowl of Heaven of heart's delight is bare, 
I know not in this world who 's free from care. 
And since no soul can live apart from death, 
What profit in a fruitless world is there? 



648. B. 25. L. 96. See quatrain 133. 

649. N. 144. P. 144. Nicolas says "My soul the lip," etc., means 
'I am about to die." Ascribed also to Attar. 

650. L. 85. Death is ever impending. 



217 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

651 
What profit can there be in grieving vain? 
Many like us hath Heaven seized and slain ; 

The cup fill ! set it in my hand to drink ! 
Quickly, for it doth everything sustain ! 

652 

Thirsting, a cup my hand doth ne'er attain, 
Nor doth my foot a solid basis gain. 

My heart is disappointed in its hopes. 
All objects of its cares unreached remain. 

653 
Like drop in mighty stream, like desert blast. 
Another day from our lives flieth fast; 

However two days' grief I reckon not. 
The day to come and that already past! 



651. L. 389. C. page 32 margin, also repeated C. 162, the baits 
transposed. 

652. L. 388. 

653. L. 84. B. 20. C. 48. See quatrain 58. F. 57. 

218 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

654 

Why art thou proud of house and fine array, 
Since but a tale is this life's outcome ? Nay, 

The wind 's thy spouse, yet tapers thou would'st 
light; 
Why build thy dwelling in the torrent's way? 

655 

Life's worn-out garb will ne'er be new again, 
Nor worldly courses run as thou would'st fain ; 

Care's goblet broken then becomes Joy's cup; 
Quaff wine in cups then, nor Care's goblet drain ! 

656 

Though drink has torn my veil, while life have I, 
Wine I '11 not leave. I 'm in perplexity 

Concerning those who deal in wine, for they — 
Better than that they sell, what will they buy ? 



654. L. 661. 

655. L. 374, Care's goblet broken becomes a cup of Joy. Lines 3 
and 4 are transposed. C. 185 in part. 

656. B. 62. See quatrain 257. F. 95. 

219 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

657 

How long shall I make bricks upon the sea? 
I tire of temple and of devotee ; 

To-night I '11 pass with silver-bosomed maids, 
What 's Heaven or Hell ? Loved one and wine give 
me! 

658 

Pour, Saki, musky red juice of the grape ! 

That we in wine contention may escape; ^ 

A jug pour of this vintage ere the time 
That potters from our clay their goblets shape ! 

659 

Now Ramazan is come, wine's season 's done, 
Clear wine, our simple wont we 've quite foregone, 
And all the drink we 've stored remains untouched 
While uncaressed go our loves every one ! 



657. L. 214. See quatrain 158. 

658. L. 680. C. 380. 

659. N. 66. W. 69. P. 66. The last line is freely translated. The 
quatrain is apparently ironical. 

220 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

660 

On Fortune's hem alluring young and old. 
Untrammelled by your load at once take hold; 

But if your hand for the emergency 
Be short, give o'er, for long 's the tale when told. 

661 

Two hundred snares on all sides Thou dost lay, 
'* It is thy loss, if thou step'st in ! " dost say. 

Thou set'st the snare, and all who step therein, 
Dost catch and call rebellious and then slay ! 

662 

Thou ever bring'st to me O Destiny ! 
Sorrows and still to others remedy; 

In peace what have I left undone for thee? 
In war what is there thou dost not to me? 



660. L. 614. C. 344. 

661. N. 390. See quatrain 539. 

662. L. 584. 

221 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

663 

Since Life moves on, what matters sweet or sour? 
What Balkh or Baghdad when the cup brims o'er? 

Drink wine ! for oft this moon from new to full, f 
From full to new will pass and we no more ! 

664 

What time my heart with youthful ardor wrought. 
Few of Life's secrets were unknown, methought ; 

Now when I look about in Reason's way. 
My knowledge is as if the known were naught. 

665 

Give me wine which to my bruised heart doth prove 
A balm, boon friend to those who mope for love; 

Better, I hold, the dregs of but one draught 
Than the world's hollow skull Heaven's dome above ! 



663. B. 47. C. 109. L. 229. N. 105 (variant, see quatrain 181;. 
F. 8. C, for "Drink wine," reads "live blithely." 

664. L. 265. See quatrain 191. 

665. B. 37. 

222 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

666 

Wine jar and lover's lips in blossomed dell 
Have filched thy credit and my cash as well ; 

The human tribe to Hell or Heaven is pledged, 
But whoe'er came from Heaven or went to Hell ? 

667 

Each vow we make we break again. The door 
Of Fame and Shame shut on ourselves once more. 

Blame me not if I act beside myself, 
For I am drunk with Love's wine as before. 

668 

My heart no odds 'twixt bait and snare divines, 
Toward mosque and cup alternately inclines ; 

In taverns better, wise with wine and love. 
Than be a fool the cloister wall confines. 



666. B. 45. Lab-i-kisht, margin of the sown field, garden verge, 
blossomed dell. See quatrain 28. 

667. B. 93. C. page 94 margin. N. 381. L. 653. P. 377. L., N. 
and P. read "wholly" for "once more." 

668. B. 117. Line 2, lit. "One counsel is toward the mosque, another 
toward the cup." Wise, "pukhtah," lit. cooked. Fool, "kham," Ht. 
raw, or "the raw." "Love," i. e., loved one. Line 4, lit. "In a wine- 
house, cooked, better than in a monastery, raw. 

223 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

669 

That spirit which is called pure wine, they say 
Will grief of desolated hearts allay : 

''Good water" why do they "bad water" call? 
Quickly some cups well filled by me array ! 

670 

Is wine rose red, the cup water of rose 
Whose crystal casket a pure ruby shows? 

Rubies dissolved in water it may be, 
And moonlight be but sunlight veiled, who knows? 

671 

Wine-cup and tankard take, O dearest Love! 
Joyous through blossomed mead by stream's marge 
rove; 
Many dear ones are turned a hundred times 
To cups and jugs by vengeful Heaven above! 



669. B. 104. The word-play here is on "ruh," spirit, and "rah," 
wine, "kharab," desolate, and "khairab," good water, "sharr ab," bad 
water, and "sharab," wine. Why do they call what is in fact a very 
good water, "sharab," wine? 

670. B. 92. "Magar, "«.<?., may be or who knows. A trivial quatrain 
but an odd conceit. 

671. B. 147. See quatrain 468 (N. 354, L. 625). I have used the 
passive form in the last lines. Vengeful, "badkhui," ill tempered. In 
line 2 "khush khush bikharam," content, sweet and with grace (or joy), 
literally. 

224 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

672 

Reproach not drinkers, while you can refrain, 
Avoid pretence and idle talk restrain; 

If henceforth you desire a peaceful life. 
The very humblest people ne'er disdain. 

673 
When all uprooted is my being's tree. 
And scattered wide become the parts of me, 

If then they make a flagon of my clay. 
When filled with wine alive at once 't will be. 

674 

Since Heaven's wheel never to thy wish hath run. 
Would 'st thou eight Heavens or would 'st thou seven 
count on ? 
There are two days that never trouble me. 
The day to come and that already done. 



672. B. 3. So bear yourself as not to provoke controversy. 

673. C. 163. N. 115. L. 391. P. 115. F. 89. See quatrain 373. 

674. N. 42. (See L. 201.) P. 41. "Seven," etc., Nicolas says that 
this is a reference to a controversy whether there existed seven or eight 
Heavens. See quatrain 686. 

225 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Wine drinking 's frowned on in society, 

Nor harp, nor flute, nor love at hand may be. 

And revellers all have ceased wine worship, save 
The Muhtasib who 's drunk continually ! 

676 

I 've a breath left, thanks to the tapster's pains, 
Yet among men nothing but discord reigns; 

Not one maund more is left of last night's wine. 
But I know not what yet of life remains ! 

677 

Fret not o'er worldly cares while you 've the power 
Nor*brood upon the past or coming hour; 

Drink sweet wine in this halting place and pour ; 
Live to yourself! though you have treasured store. 



675. L. 220. C. 103. The Muhtasib is a sort of chief of police, one 
of whose duties is the suppression of drinking. Written ironically or at a 
time of some "Reform" movement. 

676. N. 461. L. 221. Reflections of the day after. L., line 2, reads 
"In the company of life," i. e., In the world. 

677. L. 226. C. 107. 

226 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

678 

Where 's minstrel, wine ? The cry of morn that I 
May give. He 's glad who doth the dawn-draught 
ply. 
There are three things in this world sweet to me, 
A head wine-flown, sweetheart and morning cry. 

679 

The rose' sweet scent a thorn-prick's worth, 'tis true; 
If wine you drink, a headache 'tis worth, too. 

The loved one who delights a thousand souls. 
Is worth awaiting, give her but her due. 

680 

Saki, to part, in grief I 'm perishing, 
Where you go to your hem my hand shall cling ; 
You go ! A thousand hearts are grieved. Come 
back! 
For you ten myriad souls the offering ! 



678. C. 108. N. 104. L. 227. P. 104. The cry of morn, a cry or call 
or refrain of drinkers in the early hours of the morning, and apparently 
a custom. 

679. L. 233. C. 114. 

680. L. 177. 

227 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



i 



68i 

Boy, earth hath oft grown gay with rose and green, 
That but a week before mere dust had been ; wk 

Drink wine and pluck the rose for while you look. 
Rose turns to dust and green to refuse, e'en. 

682 

The morning draught of clear wine, boy, give me ; 
Give wine to those wrought to its ecstasy; -A 

And tell a crumbling world we 're lost, enrapt 
Within this Tavern of Mortality ! 

683 

Leaving the world of dust, my dust I strew ; 
A hundred friends and foes I leave and go. 

I, with your when and why have no concern. 
So that in peace I go and strewing do. 



681. L. 175. 

682. L. 664. 

683. L. 187. 



228 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

684 

Parcht Earth hath washed her cheek in vernal rain, 
Time when thy broken heart grows whole again. 
See ! Cheeks of down, grass-plot and wine ! 
Come, fool ! 
For from thy dust the grass will spring amain ! 

685 

Many a one hath lived ere thee and me. 

That earth's four quarters hath made fair to see. 

Thy body soon turns dust, for thousand times 
Embodied elsewhere hath been dust of thee ! 

686 

Since ne'er the Sphere turned as the sage is fain. 
Would you the seven Heavens or the eight explain ? 

Since Death comes, wishes unfulfilled, as well 
Devoured by ants in tomb as wolf on plain ! 



684. C. 98. L. 213. C. transposes lines 2 and 4, and for "wine" 
reads "a cup." "Nu ruz," the Persian new year's day, at time of vernal 
equinox, i. e., Spring. 

685. L. 208. C. 94. 

686. L. 201. C. 85. See quatrain 674. Since death will come before 
earthly wishes are satisfied, one form of death is as good as another. 

229 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

687 

When bulbuls mid the flowers make melody, 
Wine like the tulip in my hand must be. 
Rather than ignorantly, '' Such a one 
The cup in hand hath ta'en ! " they 'd say of me. 

688 

One should not in the heart plant Sorrow's tree 
But read the book of Gladness constantly. 

One should quaff wine and seek his heart's desire, 
For it is clear how long on earth you '11 be. 

689 

The cup of rosy wine in rose time drain ! 
To melody of pipe and lute's soft strain ; 

I tipple and rejoice; what should I do? 
Go ! bite the dust ! if you from wine refrain ! 



687. C. 88. L. 204. People will say I drink whether I do or not; 
therefore, lest they speak ignorantly, I will drink. 

688. C. 180. N. 147. L. 281. P. 147. The lines are transposed in L. 

689. N. 209. P. 208. "Bite the dust," lit. "eat stones," an expression 
of contempt. See note to quatrain 294. In last line literally "if wine thou 
drink not." 

230 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

690 

Whole nights pass that we close our eyelids ne'er, 
For when we breathe not, dawn will oft appear ; 

Up then ! and let us drink ere day, to set 
The foot of Pleasure on the head of Care ! 

691 

'T is dawn, arise, O Source of grace ! and drain 
The bowl of wine and sound the lute's soft strain ! 

For those who sleep (like thee) not long remain, 
And they who Ve gone will ne'er come back again! 

692 

'Mid tavern revellers I am chief of all. 
From acts of worship I to sin did fall. 

And I am he who all night from strong wine. 
With heart a bleeding unto Allah call. 



690. C. 298. N. 293. L. 547. P. 292. Lines 2 and 4 are transposed 
in N. and P. The word play is on the various meanings of "dam," 
breath, instant, break (of dawn). Line 4, N. and P. for "Pleasure" read 
"Separation," and transpose lines 2 and 4. 

691. C. 230. N. 235. L. 431. P. 234. 

692. C. 283. N. 292. L. 520. P. 291. "Heart," lit. "liver," see 
note to quatrain 387. 

231 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

693 
In this world where each breath we draw in pain, 
'T were best we breathe not save the cup to drain. 

When dawn breaks, rise and drink all day, for when 
We 've ceased to breathe, dawn oft will break again ! 

694 

Our heads are turned by grape-juice constantly. 
There 's naught save wine cups in our company. 

Your preaching cease, O foolish votary ! 
To worship wine and loved one's lips we 're free. 

695 
Pregnant with life that goblet's frame behold ! 
Like jasmine that should purple buds enfold 

Nay, I do err, since wine (to be quite nice), 
Is water that a liquid fire doth hold ! 



693. N. 295. P. 294. 

694. C. 308. N. 307. L. 558. P. 306. Line 4, literally "We are 
worshippers of wine and loved one's lips at will." 

695. N. 324. L. 599. P. 321. Arghavan, purple, also the redbud 
or judas tree, whose blossom is red. Also ascribed to Baha-uddin and to 
Asgadi Marvi. 

232 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

696 

Deceitful women's chatter do not hear; 

From those well bred take grape juice sparkling clear. 

Those who have risen one by one have gone, 
But none gives token of returning e'er ! 

697 

Sots, lovers, wine adorers we all are, 
And lounging, tavern quarters ever share; 

Seek reason not from us for we 're enrapt, 
From good and bad, surmise and fancy far. 

698 

Although the Fates make earth fair to thine eyes, 
There is one view wherein agree the wise ; 

Ere They take thee, thy share take, for like thee 
Many depart, many will come likewise ! 



696. N. 343. L. 600. P. 340. Deceitful, lit. ready to turn or move, 
"All things to all men." L. for "risen" reads "adorned." 

697. N. 378. L. 649. P. 374. 

698. L. 247. C. 119. 

233 , 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

699 

How long from man's injustice shame sustain? 
Of cruel Fortune's fever bear the pain ? 

Arise! nor drink Care's cup, if you be man. 
The Feast 'tis, come! while rose-hued wine we drain! 

700 

Up, up ! O Saki, from that bed of thine ! 
Give, give ! O Saki, pure juice of the vine ! 

Or e'er They flagons make from our head bowls. 
From flagon into bowl do thou pour wine! 

701 

The cup of wine is better with my love. 

And tearful eye when she from sight doth rove; 

Since this base world will not keep faith, in it 
To be o'ercome by wine doth better prove. 



699. C. 271. N. 281. P. 280. Cruel, lit. "birang," colorless. Line 
3, literally "Drink not earth's griefs," etc. See previous note on use of 
word "khurdan," to drink. 

700. N. 406. P. 401. 

701. C.215. N. 205. L. 407. P. 204. "O'ercome," "Mast o kharab," 
drunk and lost, or ruined; colloquially, "dead drunk." C. 226 is not 
dissimilar; it reads " 'Tis the season of youth. Youth is the best; With 
lovely boys that cup of wine is best; This fleeting world, since it was laid 
waste without water; In the tavern place a tavern crowd is best." 

234 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

702 

Drink to your sprightly charmer's visage fair 
The cure when bitten by the asp of Care ; 

I quaff, rejoice, 't is well ! What should I do ? 
Go! Get you hence, if grape-juice you drink ne'er! 

703 
Let not things still to come blanch your cheeks' hue, 
Nor present things your breast with fear imbue; 
And reap your harvest in this wicked world 
Ere Fortune's favors are withdrawn from you. 

704 

Toward limpid wine be my inclining still, 
To viol's note and flute's melodious trill; 
If potters fashion from my clay a jar. 
May juice of grapes that vessel ever fill ! 



702. N. 213. P. 212. "Get you hence!" lit. "Feed on dust!" 

703. C. 252. N. 239. L. 457. P. 238. Line 2, lit. "Make your 
gall to break." Line 4 varies and may be translated " 'Ere Time closes 
thine eyes' and L. 'Ere Time draws its sickle.' " 

704. C. 281. N. 299. L. 518. P. 298. Line 2, lit. "My ear to flute 
and viol constantly." 

235 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

That day when vine-juice bides not in my head, 
Time's proffered cure would poison be instead; 

World's care is poison, wine its antidote, 
I drink the cure, since I the poison dread. 

706 

You are excusable if you strive o'er 

That which you eat and drink of this world's store; 

All else mere trifles weigh, have then a care 
Lest your dear life you sacrifice therefor. 

707 

If roses be not ours, let thorns suffice ! 

And night, if for us no dawn's light doth rise ; 

And if our beads, prayer rug and Shaikh we lack. 
With bell and church, the zone their place supplies. 



705. C. 280. N. 280. L. 516. P. 279. In line 1, L. has "That day 
when I lack liquor of the vine." 

706. L. 763. C. page 107 margin. Beyond the necessaries of life, 
strife is unworthy. The simple life. 

707. L. 39. Nearly identical with quatrain 339. 

236 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

708 

Glance on the friendless, Saki, for God's sake ! 
Do you the idol of our senses break ! 

Life's water for God's love, then bring to us ! 
Moonstruck are we, in union to partake! 

709 

In ruin haunt, with song and juice of vine, 

Heart, faith, and mind and soul we pawn for wine ; 

With heads awhirl, wine built atop of wine, 
The structure left but bubbles is in fine. 

710 

O Heart, seek not kind rule from Destiny, 
Nor from Time's turning, high or rich to be ; 

Seek you to ease your pain? It doth increase; 
Bear suffering and seek no remedy ! 



708. L. 21. 

709. L. 30. See quatrain 53. 

710. L. 26. 

237 



^ 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

711 

To this age wherein we both come and go, 
Beginning, end nor boundary doth show; 

No one can speak the truth upon this point. 
For whence we come and where we go, none know. 

712 

Life's mystery as 't is in our book enrolled. 

Our secret since 'twould wrong, may not be told; 

Since midst unknowing men none worthy is. 
Not all can be revealed our minds enfold. 

Though thy head ache, the cup fill of that wine 
Which still another life doth add to thine. 

Give it to me ! But tales are earth's affairs ! 
Haste now ! for passing is this life of mine ! 



711. L. 45. W. 508. C. page 8 margin. 

712. L. 50. C. page 28 margin. See quatrain 96. 

713. L. 53. C. 59. C. reads "that to thy spirit adds another life" 
and, line 4, "for thy life, oh boy, passeth!" 

238 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

7H 
We Ve traversed many a vale and desert plain, 
Nor did from all our search one need attain ; 

If unkind Fortune once in my life gave 
Aught good, 't was in an instant gone again ! 

Give, boy! that wine which is the world's delight; 
Which to Joy's rose is as the moonlight bright! 

Haste, for the fire of youth as water flows 
And Fortune's waking is a dream of night ! 

716 

'T were strange if war 'gainst us the Heavens on high 
Wage not, and if our heads with stones not ply ; 
The Cadi who sells trust-funds, wine to buy, 
'T were strange 'gainst him should mosque-schools 
raise no cry. 



714. L. 60. See quatrain 178. 

715. L. 90. See quatrain 99. 

716. L. 101. The Cadi or Cazi, a magistrate who might well be 
supposed in a position to administer trusts for pious or educational pur- 
poses. Omar here makes a drive at the corruption of the magistrates. 

239 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

717 

Wine, boy, to me is knowledge and good name. 
Although to fools drinking be sin and shame; 

Without it since man's business comes to naught, 
Knowledge alone should be man's only aim. 

718 

Since idly pass yester-fore-yesterday. 
And go alike toils, cares, joy and dismay. 

To-day whate'er befalls you, still be gay, 
For as this secret comes, cares pass away. 

719 

Boy, 'tis a world of gloom ! the cup prepare! 
Yet save thy face no well of life is there ; 

Of life, soul and whate'er is in the world. 
Praised be the Prophet! but for thee I care? 



717. L. 117. Line 2, lit. "In drinking those without knowledge sin." 

718. L. 112. When the "secret," /. e., the futility of taking thought, 
comes (takes possession of us) cares take flight. 

719. L. 116. "Gloom," "zulmat," darkness, obscurity, the region 
of shade whence flowed the water of life. 

240 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

720 

How long grieve I that from this old cell here 
Nor head nor body things to me appear ? 

Ere I bind on my load to leave this house, 
Saki, give wine, for that alone can cheer. 

721 

Your being from the worthless you should hide, 
Your secret to all fools should be denied. 

See you be careful how you deal with men. 
Your hopes to all men you should not confide. 

722 

Art thou no hunter? Of the chase ne'er prate; 
O'er aught uncalled for venture not debate; 

With thine eyes the Traditions keep in sight 
When graybeards would have thee the truth relate. 



720. L. 610. "Old cell," i. e., the world. How long shall I fret 
because I find worldly affairs are so perplexing. 

721. L. 640. See quatrain 96. 

722. L. 611. 

241 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

723 
This dust was of Bokhara's sage's way, 
(A man of high distinction in his day.) 

Here where you now set foot, think certainly 
Some mighty hero's hand, this piece of clay ! 

724 

Saki, since life 's a breath, a cup give me ! 
If joy an instant last, enough 'twill be; 

Since naught befalls to any one's desire. 
Be glad of whate'er from Fate comes to thee. 

725 

Bear thou with pain and live contentedly. 
And from the bonds of Avarice be free ; 

Seek not aggrandizement of self, nor grieve. 
Lean not on less than thou, live joyfully ! 



723. L. 121. Sage, Mohammad Ismail al Bokhari. 

724. L. 125. "Life," line 1, literally "the world's affairs.'' 

725. L. 742. 



242 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

726 

Saki, my heart 's aflame with yearning vain, 
Return, for you 're the leech for lovers' pain. 

Life-giving hope to me is in your step, 
And while life 's left doth hope with me remain. 

727 

Saki, my heart that knows not joy for woe. 
Save wine-cups this world's pleasures doth not know ; 
Give wine, for morning's breath this life revives 
And none save Christ knows what it doth bestow. 

728 

Why, Saki, after Heaven this longing vain? 
Save wine and thee what can in Heaven remain? 
We have both here and there too, better than 
Thyself and wine what do both worlds contain ? 



726. L. 127. 

727. L. 129. The life-giving powers of the breath of the Messiah are 
celebrated throughout the East. 

728. L. 128. 

243 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

729 

boy, 't is pleasant and the moon doth shine, 
A point of dogma's Heaven, so give us wine. 

You know that Death like lightning, harvests 

burns, 

Which whilst you look your harvest burns and mine. 

1 said still will be true the faith of thee 
To its first aim from all eternity. 

And yet as earth's foundation stones infirm 
I know, O mine eyes Light, thy faith will be ! 

Thy moon-cheek, Saki, life for all I find. 
Enchanting me, bewitching every mind! 

O, sun-like ! liquid sunshine 's not so fair ! 
And not alone to me but all mankind ! 



729. L. 140. 

730. L. 156. 

731. L. 154. The comparison of the face of the beloved to the moon 
in its contour and radiance is a frequent Oriental extravagance of figure, 
the comparison to the sun less frequent. Line 3, lit. "O, sunlike! sun in 
water (or sun in liquid) is not sweet!" i. e., wine. Wine even is not so 
desirable as the cupbearer's beauty. 

244 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Bearer! my ancient friend is good old wine, 
My faith's life with the daughter of the Vine. 

They say faith and wine-drinking ne'er agree; 
I drink wine for wine-drinking's faith is mine. 

733 
I fear, grieving for you, who 's not ? O, who, 
Saki? Nor knows my patience your cheek's due? 

By Heaven I swear that you are my desire 
And in my heart dwells none save only you! 

734 
Saki, a glance ! for my heart 's reft by care ; 
The lion-like have empty left the lair: 

Thou bowl of Heaven with bubbles foam'st each 
night. 
But now it is my turn, the bowl is bare. 



732. L. 176. Line 2, lit. ''Without the daughter of the vine life nor 
faith of mine is." The above is Lucknow, 1894. There is some variation 
in lines 3 and 4 in the other editions. 

733. L. 173. Who knows not that it is the tribute due to the cheek 
of beauty that the lover should be patient. 

734. L. 165. Line 1, "For the heart from care is empty." Lion-like, 
i. e., lion-like men. The poet complains that Heaven however bountifully 
supplied is niggardly toward him. 

245 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

735 
Know why I ne'er to penitence incline? 
It is because 't is lawful to drink wine : 

It is forbid indeed to the profane, 
Be adepts' drinking on this head of mine ! 

A liquid life is flowing in the bowl, 
That spirit flows in its embodied soul ; 

'T is frozen water filled with liquid fire, 
A ruby mine in crystal cups doth roll ! 

737 
I '11 lay no brick, but foot on tile will press. 
And henceforth wine by garden verge possess; 
I '11 not burn for each trifle, nor is 't well 
Life to the last with evil to distress. 



735. L. 609. Adepts, people of the secret. 

736. L. 621. A description of wine. 

737. L. 752. "Khisht," means brick or tile, also applied to the cover 
of the jar. Apparently 1 will not trouble myself about habitations or 
memorials but stand by wine. I will not allow myself to be vexed easily 
nor is it well that 1 should pass my days in fretting because of evil. Line 
2, lit. "Henceforth I and wine and garden verge." 

246 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

738 
O, friend come ! and the morrow's care allay, 
And this cash moment treasure while we may ; 

Our sins exist not save by His command, 
Then why should we fret o'er the Coming Day ? 

739 
Arise, come sweep the hand o'er the lute's frame! 
Again let 's drink wine and strike name on shame ; 

When wine we quaff in taverns let us drink, 
And on stones smite the glass of shame and fame ! 

740 

We '11 grasp the faithless loved one's garment hem. 
Drink wine and good name will we clash with shame, 

And sell the prayer-rug for a single cup. 
Squander and shatter on the stones, fair fame ! 



738. L. 561. Line 1, lit. "O friend come and consume not grief of the 
morrow." 

739. L. 564. C. 312. 

740. L. 565. C. 313. 

247 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

How many patched and rotten dolts there be 
Who tread not paths of truth and purity ! 

How many boasters caught by foolish prate 
Mar names of good repute with infamy ! 

742 

He who of faith's hope doth unworthy seem, 
As water clear this doubtful point doth deem, 

To make God's prescience the cause of sin. 
To men of sense seems ignorance extreme. 

743 
The sage drinks not Care's draught of grieving vain, 
And naught save brimming cup on cup doth drain. 

Let grief be in the heart so wine 's in flask. 
But plague take him who grieves, nor wine hath ta'en! 



741. L. 248. Evidently directed in part at the patched and pious 
dervish. 

742. Lucknow edition of 1882, page 34. See quatrain 14. 

743. L. 255. See previous notes on the Persian use of the verb 
"khurdan" to consume. Lit., line 4, "But plague take him who con- 
sumes grief (i. e., is consumed by grief) and consumes not wine!" 

248 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

744 
With naught save reason in its way agree, 
Accept no bad friend when good friends there be; 

Be of contented mind nor self contained 
If thou would'st have the world approve of thee. 

745 
No rose doth Fortune uprear from the clay 
But she doth break and then in dust doth lay: 

If just as clouds raise water they raised clay, 
'T would rain blood of the great till Judgment Day ! 

746 

Quaff wine ! for grief from thy soul it doth bear. 
The thought of both the worlds and all their care ; 

Choose flowing fire ! for Life's water 't is. 
That when thou art but earth lifts thee in air ! 



744. L. 300. 

745. L. 274. Another reading of lines 3 and 4 is, "If dust and water 
she as clouds upraise, the blood of great men she hath ever shed," i. e., 
If she upraise common clay, ordinary people, she also sheds the blood of 
the great. 

746. L. 304. 

249 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

747 
Those who lead lives of abstinence, all say 
That just as men die even so rise they, 

For this we persevere with love and wine, , 
That They may raise us up in the same way. 

748 

The Feast has come and things will be made right, 
Pure wine, boy, will be poured in goblets bright. 

Prayer's bridle and the halter of the Fast 
From asses' heads they '11 loose the Festal Night. 

749 
Cheer up ! for new the Festal moon will glow. 
And none in his affairs a need will know. 

O, Saki ! if you give us wine or not. 
Know that the heads of all will be laid low ! 



747. C. 134. L. 307. Let us insure a continuance of earthly joys. 

748. L. 314. At the end of Ramazan, the fasting month, comes 
Shawwal, with its feast. 

749. L. 317. The end of the fast of Ramazan is marked by the new 
moon of Shawwal. This quatrain begins like one in the Calcutta MS., 
No. 186, which is as follows: "Cheer up! the Festal moon will come again! 
And every good means pleasure to sustain, The sallow moon, crook- 
backed and thin become. You'd say 'twould sink beneath its load of 
pain." F. note. 

250 



J 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

In death's hour when my case the Fates array, 
No idle words at my bed let them say. 

When men set at my grave a tile, be sure 
That they with wine (not water) shape its clay. 

If of this life one instant is left thee, 
Let it not pass except in gaiety. 

Beware ! for this world's capital is life 
Which thus drawn on, soon passed away will be. 

75^ 
Outcast my body poor away doth wear, 
The home's sweet converse it hath tasted ne'er. 

My life doth pass and knows no time of joy. 
The recompense of my term will be where .? 



750. C. 195. L. 318. Line 1, lit. "In the season of death when They 
(z. e., the Fates) make or cause my affairs to come." 

751. L. 319. C. 196. 

752. L. 323. Line 4, "term," i. e., my time of servitude on earth, 
my life. 

251 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

753 
Alertness, joy and vigor rise from wine, 
Where drought and cold rise in that soul of thine. 

If thou quaff (rosy) wine, thou 'It be like it; 
Herb eating doth the cheek with sallow line. 

754 
A man should be, and necessarily, 
From crown to sole in pain, and constantly 
Love's lesson he should ever study o'er 
And as dust in the Friend's street should he be. 

755 
A fever holds my bones, for sick am I, 
And abstinence from wine my life doth try; 
Behold this wonder, whate'er I consume 
In sickness all save wine 's my injury. 



753. C. 208. L. 327. Drink wine and be ruddy like wine, lead the 
life of an ascetic, eating "sabza," green or herbs, and you will become 
sallow faced. 

754. L. 322. For love one should suffer every pain and for the Divine 
love be as dust in the Divine presence. 

755. L. 328. C. 187. 

252 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Youth has gone, horse and foot, and now to me 
Life bitter is, though that wine 's essence be. 
This body once as arrow straight is bent 
As bow I Ve strung with staff drawn joyously. 

The month of Ramazan as it comes this year 
On Wit's foot is a shackle hard to wear : 

O mighty God, make people negligent, 
So that they may think that Shawwal is here ! 

You should seek with grape's nectar, love's embrace 
Far from the world some streamlet's marge to grace. 
Like roses though life's joys last their few days. 
One should wear smiling lip and cheerful face. 



756. L. 463. C. 255. Apparently, my body has become as a bow, 
bent, but the operation has proved a pleasant one to me. The body bent 
as a bow, the staff carried representing the string. 

757. L. 331. C. 190. The Moslem months being lunar, Ramazan, 
the fasting month, comes periodically in the hot weather when the fast 
throughout the long and hot period from daybreak to dusk is particularly 
trying. Shawwal, the fasting month's successor, is ushered in by feast- 
ing. Assuming Omar to have been born about 1040 A. D., Professor 
William E. Story, of Clark University, has computed that this quatrain 
was probably written in the period from 1098 to 1103. 

758. L. 348. Line 3, lit. "last but ten days." 

253 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

759 
Since ne'er doth hand the hem of longing gain 
Nor to the heart's desire the soul attain, 

Give me a glass and go, for cup unmixed 
To none comes from yon turquoise bowl to drain ! 

760 

For down that nestles on the loved one's face 
Think not diminished is her loveliness, 

The rose in her cheek's garden is adorned 
With verdure for the spirit's pleasure place. 

761 

'T is base sin now to friendship to pretend, 
Where is man's love? and where a noble friend? 

The skirt 'tis better to draw in with all. 
And distant speech and greeting to extend. 



759. L. 368. Fate gives no favor unalloyed. 

760. L. 369. The down on the cheeks of women is esteemed a beauty 
by the Persians. It is called "sabza," verdure. 

761. L. 506. 

254 



I 
I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

762 

Mere dregs within Love's path the purest are ; 
And in its quest the great as small compare; 
To-day is as to-morrow, night and morn, 
Who seek the morrow die in its despair. 

763 
Since 'gainst my will the Pen my fate doth trace, 
Why then its good and bad upon me placer 

Yesterday like to-day regards us not, 
To-morrow why cite us the Judge to face? 

764 

I will drink wine the while my life shall be. 
Though my world's harvest show deficiency. 

O, world's soul ! in this world I '11 gaily live ! 
How know I if the next world be for me.r 



762. L. 371. 

763. L. 372. 

764. L. 382. C. 161. 

255 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

The foe who ever evil in me spies. 
Doth surely not see with a vision wise; 
Into the mirror of himself he looks, 
And that dead form takes hue from his own eyes ! 

766 

Evil a good man should not countenance, 
Nor should one troubled be for sustenance; 

111 motives should not be a guide in faith. 
Nor should one boast himself in excellence. 

767 

A need to man is learning, people say. 
In high position ancestry need they; 

Now ancient things are naught, 't is gold one 
needs. 
So sordid are the people of our day. 



765. L. 373. 

766. L. 375. 

767. L. 385. 



256 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

768 
Excuses for the love of thee abound, 
Many enrapt of thee thy pasans sound ; 

Why draw the sword of thy glance killing us 
Since for us there are many lashes found ? 

769 

Th' eternal secrets revellers know alone, 
The wine cup's power to close-fists is not shown ; 
Though my case you deem strange, there 's no 
doubt that 
The sot's case is by drinkers only known. 

770 

Those ancient things and those things that are new 
Each one by one its end attains unto, 

For this base world abides with none for aye, 
They pass and others come and follow, too. 



768. L. 384. To the beloved. Lines 1 and 2, lit. "There are many 
excuses for love of thee, Those drunken for thee (sound) many a song." 
Apparently the contemplation of the eyelashes of the adored is quite 
sufficient for the poet without the obligation of being the target for her 
deadly glances. 

769. L. 394. See quatrain 622. 

770. L. 241. C. page 31 margin. 

257 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

771 

The zealot's sackcloth I will put away; 
With whitened locks the wine cup I '11 essay ; 

My life 's reached seventy years, if I do not 
Rejoice this moment, ah, when shall I, pray? 

772 

'* From lip to jar's lip what dost thou divine?" 
Quoth jar "It means that my lip is like thine;" 

**At last, when like my being thou 'rt no more. 
By God's decree thy lip becomes as mine!" 

773 
Those who in learning's matters would excel 
Alas ! the burden ox they 'd milk as well. 

Better the dress of folly they put on. 
For now for wisdom, wine-dregs they would sell ! 



771. L. 387. 

772. L. 259. C. page 50 margin. "Lib-bar-lib" means lip to lip, 
also brimming. The word-play here is on "lib," repeated in various 
ways. The apparent meaning is, The reason we press the cup to our lips 
is that our lips and its are alike of clay. However beautiful the lip of the 
beloved, it too, is but clay like the lip of the jar, like the lip of the lover. 

773. L. 365. 

258 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

774 
Thy tresses mock the musk of all Cathay, 
To thy red lip the soul 's attuned for aye, 

The cypress to thy stature I 've compared, 
Exalting the straight cypress from that day ! 

77S 
Old Sphere ! each day of thy course, the palm tree 
Of my joy is uprooted quite by thee; 

'T is strange those undeserving thy snare-place. 
No one should tell, *''Tis dangerous, let be!" 

776 

The loved one's ruby lip press close, O wine! 
Since this that thou dost hold is superfine: 

Cup, be content from tulip-wine to part, 
Since with heart's blood it brings her lip to thine ! 



774. L. 376. 

775. L. 583. "Snare-place," /. e., the world. 

776. L. 106. 

259 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

111 
Suppose all worldly needs be granted you; 
And life well rounded, gained the term's end, too; 
You say, ** I '11 strike hand on my heart's desire." 
You cannot; if you can, suppose you do! 

778 

Since 'tis man's lot here in this world forlorn 
To yield his life, the soul by sorrow worn, 

Happy his heart who never here drew breath. 
At peace the one never of mother born. 

779 
Suppose by Fate thy head exalted be. 
Life's joys possessed in their entirety, 

Whate'er thy heart can wish of gold and gems 
Enjoyed suppose, then passed away from thee ! 



^ 



i 



i 
111. L. 413. C. 222. * 

778. L. 409. C. 217. 

779. L. 415. 

260 



* 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

780 

I said *' Again I quaff not rose-hued wine, 
Blood I drink not, and 'tis blood of the vine." 

An old man said, *' Do you speak honestly?" 
Quoth I, ''I jest when drinking I decline." 

781 

Though in whatever course I wing my way, 
For love of thee whatever I essay. 

The tears ne'er for a moment cease to flow. 
Until some other point my eyes survey. 

782 

Thou art come to perform thy sovereignty. 
Bethink thyself, quit this depravity; 

Naught yesterday, to-morrow thou 'It be naught, 
'T is clear to-day what will be done by thee. 



780. L. 511. C. 279. Line 4, lit. "Quoth I, 'I jest when I drink not.' " 

781. L. 576. Seemingly whatever I attempt Fate forces me to abandon. 

782. L. 597. C. 337. Thou art come to exercise thy rights as a man. 

261 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

783 

Beyond man's lot here, naught can we discern, 
It is no easy task this truth to learn; 

Drain then one draught of this pure wine, until 
No more God's creatures give thee no concern. 

784 

If I no headache got from last night's wine. 
Drinking by daylight ne'er were choice of mine. 

Say est thou then ''Choose thou to drink by day?" 
Day drinking ne'er to fortune doth incline. 

Suppose earth, pole to pole, in gold array. 
And hundred golden stores and gems display; 

And at the last these treasures like the snow 
Three days lain on the waste, then passed away ! 



783. L. 336. 

784. L. 283. C. 125. 

785. L. edition 1882, pag:e 56. (C. 223 variant.) See quatrain 286. 

262 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

786 

Lord, Thou hast graced that love-exciting fair 
With hyacinthine, amber-scented hair, 

Then bid'st us not look on her ! This command 
Is just like saying, *' Hold awry ! Spill ne'er ! " 

787 

They say, I 'm a wine worshiper, I am. 
Notorious and reveller, I am. 

Regard not much my outside for within 
Such as I am (as they aver), I am. 

788 

In stress and search we 've fallen night and day. 
Put in confusion, up and down we stray; 

Nothing our travel yields save further pain. 
And naught remains at last save the Long Way. 



786. L. 441. 

787. L. 507. C. 27G. C, line 2, reads "Lover and drunken fellow, 
I am." 

788. L. 432. The Long Way of Death. 

263 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

789 

When dead, nor food nor sleep 's required by thee, 
These Four Mates will bring thee to beggary; 

Each what he gave thee will take back again. 
Till as thou wert at first thou com'st to be ! 

790 

O, friend ! In this vain life be not forlorn, 
Nor bootless, worry in this world outworn! 

When Life is past, Non-Being disappears. 
Take heart ! Nor fret about that world unborn ! 

791 

O learned doctor ! if there 's sense in thee, 
Look not on worthy folk with enmity; 

They talk of the Creator and His works. 
Thou of blood courses and obscenity ! 



789. L. 436. "These Four Mates," the elements. 

790. C. 225. L. 421. Lit. "Consume not grief." With death will 
disappear all concern and speculation as to the future. 

791. C. 224. L. 422. Addressed to some theological disputant who 
exalted ceremony and ritual, particularly that pertaining to uncleanness, 
apparently. "Obscenity," lit. "other foulness." 

264 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

792 

You Ve neither wit nor worth, O Sphere on high ! 
The welfare of the worthy you pass by ; 

You give to grasping men treasures and gems; 
Sphere that protects the weak, well done! say I. 

793 
O, base wheel ! vile and full of treachery ! 
Thou ne'er dost turn as any would have thee! 

O wheel, thy w^ont the No-ones, Some-ones thus, 
And Some-ones, No-ones oft doth make to be ! 

794 
If I the leaf of life from sorrow turn. 
Wine's laugh I Ml cause to bubble in the urn. 

Arise ! let brimming wine-cups circling pass, 
Perchance I '11 overcome the world's concern! 



792. L. 406. Last line is apparently ironical. 

793. L. 452. 

794. L. 500. 

265 



THE QUATRAINS OF 



I 



795 
How long wilt thou oppress me, wheel on high? 
For God's sake use me with more lenity ! 
I 'm all afire each instant and yet thou 
My burning breast with melted salt dost ply ! 

796 

The pure face, that from soiling is quite free, 
A new-come guest in this dust world must be. 

Give wine ! thou co-mate of the morning draught 
Ere they say " Eventide God bless to thee ! " 

797 
Sphere, in thy dizzy madness lure not me! 
Think of my vain boasts, thy humility ; 

I weary of my grief and poverty. 
And of this my own being constantly ! 



795. L. 480. C. 263. 

796. L. 476. C. 262. "Thou co-mate," etc., the cup-bearer. Line 4 
apparently means "Before they say prayers for thee, being dead." 

797. L. 466. Dizzy madness, "bad-masti," intoxication. 

266 



I 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

798 

Heed not, Heart, warnings of thought-taking vain ; 
Give up anxiety ! the wine cup drain ! 

Be free, yet bound as one who worships wine, 
So man become and thus perfection gain. 

799 
Love in his pleasant toils hath taken me; 
"Since I have come, get out of this! " said he, 

In short, disturbed by him, my heart so burns, 
Fire fuel, fuel fire is come to be ! 

800 

From others. Heart, to seek things banned, beware ! 
Live cheerily, to ease thy soul from care! 
Sitting apart, endure thy grief thyself. 
And with thy friend desire the cup to share! 



798. L. 484. C. 267. 

799. L. 465. C. 257. Line 1, lit. "Love in this affair hath caught 
me most pleasantly." "Get out of this," lit. "do thou draw thy foot 
out," i. e., Be thou beside thyself for love, and line 4, My heart is so 
aflame that flame and heart are all one. 

800. L. 460. L. (1882), page 61, reads lines 1 and 2, "O, heart, seek 
not of others a remedy for thyself and for the heart pains of thy sorrowful 
self, cheer up!" 

267 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

8oi 

Quaff sparkling wine with fair one at thy side. 
From foes' oppression far, with sweetheart bide ! 

Sit with a smooth-cheeked maid and self forget ; 
And doff the robe of vanity and pride ! 

802 

Counsels of prudence O Heart, never heed! 
Let self like Him from bonds of sense be freed ! 

Sit at the Feast of Meaning's kalenders ; 
Quaff wine ! Live gaily and be free indeed ! 

803 

Drink ! nor thy practice nor thy theory 
But God's mercy and grace protecteth thee. 

That stupid sect that ne'er partakes of wine 
All squint-eyed cattle thou may'st count to be. 



801. C. 246 in part. L. 458. C. transposes lines 1 and 2, and reads 
in lines 3 and 4 as follows: "Frequent the quarters of the intelligent And 
from the worthless vulgar turn aside!" 

802. C. 247. L. 459. Rise above mere materialism. 

803. L. 487. 

268 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

804 

The Feast 'tis! come! the rose-hued vintage drain 
To murm'ring harp and lute's melodious strain ! 

With loved one, light of heart, a moment sit 
And, heavy measure, drink and yet again ! 

805 

O Heart! deceivers' sophistry ne'er heed. 

That pure wine mind or faith harms. If you need 

Ease in your heart and vigor in your soul. 
Quaff wine to music in some rose-gemmed mead ! 

806 

Each mote on Earth's face that hath been ere now 
Was once a sunlit cheek or Venus brow ; 

Blow the dust gently from your loved one's face, 
For that was once love's cheek and ringlet too ! 



804. iv. 560. C. 310. The word-play is on "garan," heavy, and 
"sabuk," light, and is sufficiently obvious. 

805. L. 493. "Deceivers," lit. "the people of deceit," i. e., the 
Orthodox Moslems. 

806. W. 501. From the Firdaus ut-Tawarikh. 

269 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

807 

Ere at Fate's hand we drink the Draught of Pain, 
To-day with one another wine we '11 drain ; 

For the Death Angel in our passing hour, 
To drink e'en water will no quarter deign. 

808 

Wine old and bitter I drink all I can. 
And e'en ere Friday nights in Ramazan, 

The grape itself made lawful, in the jar. 
Lord, make not bitter, drinking it to ban! 

809 

Together clasp we hands in amity. 
On Care's head set the foot of Gaiety ; 

Arise we and breathe deep ere break of dawn. 
For dawn will oft break when no more breathe we ! 



807. L. 545. C. 295. "The Draught of Pain," i. e., the cup of 
Death. 

808. L. 548. C. 299. Ramazan is the fasting month and Adina, or 
Friday, the Moslem sabbath. To drink wine at such time would be 
especially impious. Omar here complains of the distinction made between 
the grape and its daughter, wine. 

809. L. 513. C. page 84 margin. The word-play here is on various 
meanings of "dam," breath, break of day, etc. In line 3, "dami zanem," 
lit. "we strike breath," to breathe, hence to sing, possibly to sound the 
"morning cry," i. e., to drink. 

270 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

8io 

The zealot's coat on wine-jar tops we bind, 
Ablution we 've to tavern dust confined, 

The life we lost in mosque schools, yet perchance 
Within the wine-house precincts we may find ! 

8ii 

Like fire though we mount Heaven's infinity. 
Than flowing water though more pure we be. 

Into the earth we go fiDr we 're but dust. 
The world 's but air ! Give wine, the while drink we ! 

812 

O Lord ! though limitless the sins I do, 
Against my youth and soul and body too, 
'T is that I have entire faith in Thee 
If sinning, I repent and sin anew ! 



810. L. 531. Ablution, a mocking reference to the permission given 
to use dust in the ceremony of ablution in the absence of water for the 
performance of that rite. Quatrain 383 is somewhat similar. 

811. L. 541. C. 319. 

812. L. 542. 

271 



m 

THE QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM ' 



813 
I fear that since the world we '11 ne'er regain, 
We '11 never gather with our friends again : 

While living let us profit by to-day. 
We to such moments may no more attain. 

814 

Though wine to Faith and Law be contrary. 
From fretting o'er the past it doth free me: 

Know'st Thou why wine I love thus? 'Tis because 
An instant freed from self I live with Thee. 

815 

Lord, at my low estate I 'm in distress. 
With my sad heart and empty-handedness. 

Since life Thou mak'st from naught, from naught 
bring me 
Into the being of Thy Holiness ! 



813. L. 557. C. 307. 

814. L. 543. 

815. W. 503. From the Firdaus ut-Tawarikh, which states that this 
was Omar's last utterance in verse. 

272 



MINOR AND 
OBSCURE QUATRAINS 



Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

The following quatrains are given here only for completeness. vSome 
of them are apparently patched fragments, some are obscure in English, 
partly because abounding in subtleties in which the Oriental delights. 
Some illustrate word-play, a feature of Persian poetry, but all possess a 
certain interest for the student of Khayyam, though many may be spurious. 

816 

Since Pleasure's steed in Thy way we have prest, 
No moment known unfilled by mirth and jest, 

Alas ! 't is as the door not known by us, 
At some thief's haunt that we had made our nest! 

817 ' 

In hand a flowing sword there is for me. 
Through which will ever be my victory ; 

My foe's heart constantly with envy burns. 
To me a cup for wine his skull would be ! 

818 
Blood comes forth ever from my saddened heart, 
And from the eye like tear-drops it doth part. 

Blood from my eyelashes no marvel is, 
For underneath from thorns the rose doth start. 



816. L.501. C. 273. Line 2, lit. "With pleasure and mirth a moment 
not filled have we known." The poet laments his folly, that in the search 
for pleasure he has missed true happiness. C. transposes lines. 

817. L. 8. "Sword," i. e., wine, lit. "a sword like water," "tigh 
chu ab." Some read it "tigh juab," "a sword answers." "Tigh" has 
a wide variety of meanings, light, heat, etc. My foe is overthrown, his 
head in the clay will soon become clay for my wine cup! 

818. L. 370. This quatrain reminds one of C. 326. Quoth Rose, 
"Thus now am I come, In truth, putting forth in darkness. It may be 
mixed with blood, Since from the Rosebud's heart I come." 

275 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

819 

My ill repute transcends the Heavens high, 
My precious life hath thirty years passed by; 

'T is little joy since youth hath passed away. 
To grasp a hundred cups successively. 

820 
Thy curl to nestle o'er thy face desires ; 
That rebel Turk uprising still inspires; 

Thine eye within thine eyebrow's prayer-niche sits, 
Rapt infidel ! to Imamship aspires ! 

821 
As in Reproach's vale I fain would go. 
And tend in others' wrong a glance to show. 

From this rule when earth's ways I see, 't is well 
To draw the skirt in and the world forego. 

822 
He who so featly could proportion thee. 
Ever hath power to crush thine enemy. 

"Who flagons makes no Moslem is!" they say. 
To Him who shapes the gourd thy praises be. 



819. L. 171. "Heavens," lit. "throne and canopy." "Youth," lit. 
"nuptial feasts," i. e., the time of youth. 

820. L. 162. The eye compared to the Imam or prayer-leader sitting 
in the arched Mihrab or prayer-niche. 

821. L. 147. As the world's ways are those of backbiting and censure, 
best keep to yourself. 

822. L. 351. C. 172. Line 1, lit. "That Being who through power 
shapes head and face." Allah hath shaped the gourd for a flagon which 
relieves Moslems of the need of making them. 

276 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

823 
Go not this way, thence springs Duality, 
Or if not, from such wandering it may be ; 

Thou 'It ne'er be Fie, but if thou strivest hard, 
Thou 'It reach a place where thyself parts from thee. 

824 
He is no man whom people all despise, 
Yet they count good, fearing his injuries; 

The drinker who withholds a generous hand. 
Is a mean chap in every drinker's eyes. 

825 
From this ass-tribe what dost thou profit, pray? 
Why learning they '11 not buy of thee purvey? 

Not once a year they '11 give stream-water, but 
Thine honor filch a hundred times a day ! 

826 
I have no mate in this controversy. 
My own lament my bosom friend will be; 

Though since mine eye is ever filled with tears, 
I '11 end my grief before my grief ends me. 

823. L. 347. Go not the way of the negation of Unity. Vedantic 
and very obscure. 

824. L. 3. C. 6. F. 86 second edition. Line 1 may be read "He is 
no man who despises people" and lines 3 and 4 "A good fellow who is 
open-handed in generosity, Good fellows hold him worthy of support." 
These readings are given me by a Persian gentleman whose scholarship 
entitles him to consideration. The Lucknow varies in lines 3 and 4 and 
may support the translation in this note. 

825. C. 145. L. 361. Word-play on "ab-i-jui," stream water, and 
"ab-i-rui," face water, meaning honor. 

826. L. 589. C. 334. C. 324 is a different lament: "Give wine, Soul, 
for my heart is desolate, I will burn quite the Book of Worldly Cares, And 
see you pour wine when green springs from the clay, Before my clay 



277 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

827 
Souls melted all and hearts all blood will be; 
When from behind the Veil shall truth we see? 

Alas! despite thy wit the base Sphere's course 
From thee doth earth bear and from thy course thee! 



There is no place without its mystery, 

The heart 'twixt great and little naught can see. 

Each sect but follows in its leader's way. 
Save in Love's path where leaders never be. 

829 
First brisk and swift, as wind I 'd come and go 
Ere my strong body weak began to grow, 

From weakness now as breath of those who 're sick, 
I come and go with feeble breath and slow. 

830 
If Saki, from thy hand my heart would go. 
Like to the sea from self where would it flow? 

Give to the Sufi but a single draught, 
Like thin vase filled with self he 'd overflow. 



827. L. 607. C. 341. C. 384 is a lament, but less hopeless: "My 
Soul with grief becomes weak, O, Saki! In the heart if there is this 
strength, O, Saki! At cock cry pour wine from the flagon's mouth, 
Since from wine keen vision comes, O, Saki." 

828. L. 169. The path of love is plain and needs no leader. 

829. L. 137. Apparently the description of an old man's case. 

830. L. 174. The poet mentions the Sufis or Mystics but three times, 
although he adopts their language and alludes to them not infrequently. 
"Overflow," "to head it would go," literally. 

278 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

831 
Heaven, Saki, is but foam from thy gifts' sea; 
Many souls Ka'bahs in thy quarters be; 

'Tis glory the soul's Ka'bah to attain, 
Death on its way is glory, too, for me. 

832 
Saki, a glance, for joy is in thy sight. 
And gladdened souls from gleaning thy delight! 

And our unspoken mind thy heart doth know, 
The lovers' Jamshed's cup, thy heart shines bright! 

If on earth's face of weapons I 've but one. 

It is wine's price though that good name hath none; 

"To-morrow," they say, "wine's price is not thine." 
'T is mail and turban cloth of Miriam-spun. 

834 
My life a good man's sacrifice shall be, 
I 'd lay my head at his feet readily. 

If you would know for certain what is Hell, 
A Hell on earth is evil company. 

831. L. 118. The ka'bah, the principal building of the temple at 
Mecca, is by Moslems regarded with peculiar reverence. "Many," lit. 
"a hundred." 

832. L. 119. Jamshed's cup. See quatrain 248, 

833. L. 75. "Miriam-spun," "Miriam risht," the infinitely fine 
threads said to have been spun by the Virgin Mary. The probable mean- 
ing of this obscure quatrain is: If I have one weapon I will use it in defence 
of wine or pledge it for wine in however bad repute drinking may be, and 
though after death you say I will have no means to procure wine I care 
not for that. What you say to the weapon of my argument is a corslet 
and wreath (a turban cloth) made of thread as filmy as that spun by the 
Virgin Mary, 

834. L. 240. W. 232. C. page 29 margin. 

279 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

83s 

They come whose faith rests but in fallacies, 
'Twixt soul and body draw distinctions nice; 

If on my head they 'd place a saw, I '11 put 
The wine jar on it after this, likewise. < 

836 
Lovers distraught and rapt are we to-day. 
Wine, in the idols' street we worship pay. 

And from our own existence wholly freed. 
Still in the prayer-niche of ALAST we stay. 

837 

With thy cheeks' sweat our wine is filled, Saki, 
Eyes follow, but the Eye may not reach thee. 

There is no fount of grace save thy red lip, 
A hundred Khizer Christs thy wine draughts be! 

838 

Each solace and delight God doth confer. 
Is for the solitary wayfarer; 

Each by divorce becomes changed as in sleep. 
Ease gaining doth himself to Heaven transfer. 

835. L. 313. B. 57. W. 236. Lines 3 and 4 apparently mean that 
if the theologians wish to kill me with their controversies, I '11 seek my 
solace in the wine jar. A punning quatrain, 

836. C. 232. N. 233. L. 434. W. 272. P. 232. An allusion to the 
Koran, VII, 173, and the story of God's covenant with Adam's seed, to 
whom He said, "y^/a^zfubirabbikum?" "Am I not your Lord?" and they 
answered "Yea, we do bear witness." The first syllables of the phrase 
are here introduced in parody of their original use. 

837. L. 126. "Eye," the evil eye. Khizer, see quatrain 330. Thy 
wine draughts have the life giving powers of Khizer's water and of the 
Messiah's breath. 

838. L. 334, True joy only in abstraction. 

280 



1 



OMAR KHAYYAM 



Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

Whene'er you find my heart grown watery, 
You in its corner many a wreck will see, 

If in the sea of mine eye you will plunge, 
You '11 find a merman there, save lost you be. 

840 
That Day of this clay house the sanctified 
Again the steed of their own bodies ride. 

Like tulip do not moisten me with blood. 
Or ris'en from thy street's dust I may abide. 

841 
When Nature with thy will 's in harmony. 
Be just, though every breath oppresseth thee; 

Sit with the wise, for water, fire and air. 
With earth too, form the base of thee and me. 

842 
Hashish is better for all men's heart pains. 
They say, than cup and wine to lute's soft strains; 

By Law one wine drop clearly better than 
A hundred bang users' blood thus remains! 

839. L. 738. Very obscure. A man of the sea, the apple of the eye, 
become in grief a man of water or merman. Spurious. 

840. L. 622. "That Day," z. e., The Resurrection Day, when accord- 
ing to the Moslem belief the souls seek the bodies. Do not kill me so that 
I become stained as a tulip. Obscure. Which reminds us of C. 236, "Shed 
not tears for innocent lo»^ers Nor grieving, save the blood of a repentant 
heart, Nor blood of two thousand foolish zealots upon the earth. Nor a 
draught spill on the clay." 

841. C. 70. L. 183. Line 1, lit. "When Nature's frame an instant 
suiteth thee." Whenever called on to act, be just at whatever personal 
sacrifice. 

842. L. 667. C. 369. See quatrain 294. "Bang," hashish. Law, 
canon law. 

281 



n 



THE QUATRAINS OF \ 
Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

843 

In the wine-house of Love I offer prayer, 
At her cheek's lamp afire and melting there, 

And with Affection's wine ablution made. 
Adore the visage of my idol fair. 

844 

The bearer whose lips life to rubies give. 

In his grief, heart, strength, and soul, food receive. 

Whoe'er in his grief's deluge is not drowned. 
Within some Noah's ark must cabined live. 

845 

Thou lurkest in the cup, O pleasing wine! 
Sound Reason's feet in bonds thou dost entwine; 

Whoever drinks of thee no quarter gets 
Till oped his pearl in his palm placed doth shine. 

846 
Those known alike to old and young by name, 
In streets who beg for bread and water, claim 

"Shiblis are we and all of us Junaids!" 
No Shiblis they, though known in Karkh to fame. 



843. L. 552. C. 302. The ablution preceding prayer. 

844. L. 167. As rubies are said to be an ingredient of a certain 
exhilarating cordial, so the lips of the cupbearer enliven by their brilliant 
hue the ruby itself. Grief for love of the cupbearer is strength for the 
heart and food for the soul. Surely this is sufficiently extravagant. 

845. L. 725. C. 411. Wine in, discretion out. 

846. C. 157. L. 379. W. 220. Shibli, Junaid and Ma'ruf-i-Karkh, 
the famed one of Karkh, were all saints. Karkh, a suburb of Baghdad. 
This quatrain is aimed at the dervishes. L. reads, "Those who appear as 
wearers of old felt, ever restricted to a pinch of bang and two loaves," etc. 

282 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

847 
Since Saki knows my sort especially, 
He draws a hundred kinds of subtlety, 

When I pause he gives wine of his own wont 
And by the limit of myself brings me! 



Those who to dignities themselves upraise. 
At last in poverty all end their days; 

"Poor! Poor!" they all cry dying; that sect too, 
Which goes about in charitable ways. 

849 

How long shall we men's arrogance sustain? 
And from base Fortune's juggling suffer pain? 

Cheer up! For days of "Taraweh" have passed, 
The Feast 'tis, come! while rose-hued wine we drain! 

850 
Saki, loud sounds the clamor of our woes; 
My drunkenness beyond all limit goes; 

White-haired I 'm gay, for seeing thy cheeks' down, 
Though old my head, my heart Spring freshness knows ! 



847. L. 718. W. 494. C. page 98 margin. This quatrain while not 
clear seems to be descriptive of the wiles of the cupbearer. 

848. L. 298. C, 137, transposes lines 2 and 4. 

849. L. 496. "Taraweh," the ceremony of twenty or more bows or 
genuflexions at the end of Ramazan. See quatrain 699. 

850. L. 163. The baits of this quatrain are hardly consistent. 

283 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

851 

Alas that this hound, eager, flying fast. 

With which, thy mate, thou goest with the blast, 

For as much as its heart to bone inclines, 
Its lot the boar's teeth will be at the last. 

852 
The Good Guide tells where feasts of wise souls be. 
And right and left of Rome and Araby. 

If the unworthy say that wine's impure. 
How should I list, since God calls it purity? 

853 

How long of this life's fraud and treachery. 
Bearer, how long life's very dregs give me? 

Till from its strife and grief, as but a draught, 
I pour to earth what left of life may be. 

854 

Who bade thee bleed from worldly care, O heart? 
In Fate's abode of coquetry to smart? 

Know'st what to do? Since here 's no resting place. 
As if thou 'd ne'er come hither, so depart. 



851. L. 444. Obscure, apparently meaning that this "sag," dog or 
hound, the body, is hurrying about in life's mad rush with its intimate, 
the soul, but its ultimate lot is the fang of the boar. Death. 

852. C. 99. L. 115. Good Guide, apparently the Koran or Mahomet. 

853. L. 399. C. page 57 margin. 

854. L. 642. So C. 374: "Blood warms my heart with my love, the 
cup O, Saki! For these worldly cares, troubles and snares O, Saki! Pour 
wine for life flies and is past. Give it not to the wind but with love and 
cup, O, Saki!" 

284 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

When from the body thy bright gem doth roam, 
With other sorts of beings choose thy home, 

Men come and go and no one understands 
When 'neath clay what doth to thy body come. 

856 
Alack! that gaining naught worn out are we 
Shorn by the scythe of headlong Destiny! 
Alas! since in the twinkling of an eye, 
Unreached our wishes, naught we come to be! 

857 

Whenever joyous on this green are we, 

And like yon green-gray steed of Heaven we see. 

With green-downed ones I '11 green quaff on the 
green, 
Or ever under green in dust we be! 

858 
Concerning Fortune's failures grieve thou less; 
Seek grape-juice and the loved one's fond embrace; 
For him come from his mother's womb to-day, 
To-morrow thou 'It see in some woman's chase. 

855. L. 636. C. 361. Bright gem, i. e., the soul. Obscure. 

856. L. 530. C. 289. 

857. N. 309. An example of punning. The word "sabza," green, 
means, in line 1, the earth, in line 2, the sun, in line 3, down-cheeked 
youths, wine and the turf, and in line 4, the turf. Also ascribed to Malik 
Shams uddin. I have purposely made a bald translation to illustrate 
word-play. 

858. N. 376. P. 372. L. 659 in part. L. begins "Hear not the 
world's speech, 'tis mere sound, Drink wine at the cupbearer's hand, thy 
friend become." 

285 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure -Quatrains 

859 

We are of fire, wind, water and of clay; 
In death are we too, 'mid this life's array. 

When with us is the body we 're distressed, 
But souls sublime when it has passed away. 

860 
To noble spirits, "Vain is knowledge," say; 
They know all that befalls, the soul doth sway. 

The King commands whatever us betides; 
For all that moves in both worlds blameless they. 

861 
My heart, boy, than the dead is wearier! 
For they 'neath clay than it more tranquil are. 

Howe'er with tears of blood I wash my skirt, 
My skirt than mine eyes is more stained by far! 

862 
Say not, "God's grace is hard to gain, I trow!" 
Speak of repentance for 'tis naught you know; 

Talk less of sugar-lipped sweet youths, for that's 
Not Islam, when one penitence should show. 



859. L. 678. 

860. L. 102. Both worlds, "kunain," both states of existence. 
Knowledge is unavailing, God alone controls, the two worlds have no 
agency or concern in what happens. 

861. L. 172. Skirt, i. e., character, reputation. 

862. L. 212. "Hakk," Truth, God in one of His aspects. Obscure. 
Apparently means that he is unworthy of the name of Moslem who knows 
not the power of repentance over passion. 

286 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

863 
From that jar of old wine called "end in clay," 
Fill! for my heart a great desire doth sway; 

Since earth beneath the clay hath great desire, 
With this clay of desire do you away! 

864 
If thorn in Khavaran's wide waste remain, 
From wandVing lovers' blood it bears the stain; 

Where'er maid, fairy-faced, rose-cheeked there be. 
For us then troubles all begin again ! 

865 
Old age bent over totters to its end. 
My cheek's pomegranate flowers some color lend ; 
The roof and doors and cornerstones and walls 
Of Being*s house to desolation tend. 

866 
As wind to her tress, hard 't is to attain. 
And hard on Grief's steed to draw bridle-rein ; 

They say the eye its own face cannot see. 
Be it our eye her glance were hard to gain. 



863. L. 275. "End in clay," a wine jar pointed at the bottom so it 
would stand in the ground. Another translation is: topped with clay. 
The word-play here is on "sar-bi-gil," end in cla)-, "zir-i-gil," beneath 
the clay, etc. I have translated baldly to show this feature. 

864. P. 48. Khavaran, a part of Khorasan. 

865. L. 263. C. 120. 

866. L. 486. Did Shakspeare get this idea from Omar? See Julius 
Caesar, Act I, Scene 2. Cassius: "Tell me, good Brutus, can you see 
your face?" Brutus: "No, Cassius, for the eye sees not itself but by 
reflection, by some other things." 

287 



THE QUATRAINS OF 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

867 
The soul proceeds upon the dangerous way, 
The body freed of good and bad 'neath clay; 

Full many travellers will pass over us 
Who witless of both worlds to dust decay! 

868 
A daily happening, thou us drunk dost see. 
In ringlets snared, idolaters are we; 

The turban dropped from head and cup from hand. 
Head prostrate at thy feet abased we be. 

869 
The fruit of truth on earth can never grow. 
Since in this path none rightly e'er doth go; 

All feebly grasp the brittle branch: regard 
To-day as past, as first to-morrow know. 

870 
"Thy tress-tip hath devoured many a head," 
Quoth I, "Be still, if thou art wise," she said. 

Then I, "Some day of thy form I '11 partake," 
And she, "Was any of a cypress fed?" 



867. L. 675. C. 373. The way of Death. 

868. L. 651. C. 362. 

869. B. 14. L. 64. W. 115. B. reads for "on earth" "for him." 
Count to-morrow as your first day. All days are alike, success only crowns 
patient endeavor, most men seek only the easy task. 

870. L. 157. The charmer's ringlet figures frequently in Oriental 
poetry as a snare for the lover's heart or head. The cypress is the stand- 
ard of comparison for elegance of figure. 

288 



OMAR KHAYYAM 

Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

871 
My highest wisdom Thy cause ne'er hath known 
And my thought turns in prayer to Thee alone! 

I know Thy nature is most wonderful 
And baffles mortal wit since 'tis Thine own! 

872 
My heart to wisdom is not closed, you say, 
And but few mysteries unknown. To-day 

When I view all things wisely, I perceive 
That naught is known and life hath passed away. 

873 
Now Eden's Heaven doth but a waste remain 
(A day's work should two garden plots sustain.) 
To-morrow since the world is bright and fair, 
How should we bring back yesterday again? 

874 
Pour grape juice that a beaker friends may drain 
And sound sweet song and flute's melodious strain 
Ere Death parts many a meeting! It may be 
^That They our sins will ne'er recall again! 



871. C. 24. Line 4, lit. "The perplexity of Thy nature save of Thy 
nature is not!" The divine nature is perplexing because it is divine. 

872. C. page 51, second marginal quatrain. See quatrain 664. This 
suggests C. 122, which reads as follows: "When my heart's ardor oft was 
unrestrained Methought few mysteries unsolved remained. Seventy-two 
years I 've pondered every day And know none hath the true solution 
gained." 

873. C. 84. This quatrain is evidently patched or incorrectly 
transcribed. 

874. C. page 51. First marginal quatrain. 

289 



THE QUATRAINS OF OMAR KHAYYAM 
Minor and Obscure Quatrains 

875 

Alas! thou 'rt gone; thy grief stays in my heart 
Like camp-fire left when caravan doth depart; 

What *s out of sight oft leaves the heart and yet 
Though gone from sight still in my soul thou art! 

876 
I gave, thou gav'st, I heart, thou coquetry; 
Thou art, I am, thou glad, I sad for thee; 

Thou tak'st, I take, thou my heart, I thy pain; 
Thou doest wrong, I do bear injury ! 

877 

How long in this unjust world shall we stay, 
Passing from day to night, from night to day? 

O fools, behold the cup! for from our purse 
Unconsciously existence slips away! 

878 
O Beauty's Lamp! by stream and verdant plain 
Pour wine, thy vows break, sound the zittern's strain! 

Live blithely, for the murmuring water saith, 
"Lo, when I Ve gone I come not back again!" 



875. From Sir Gore Ouseley's Biographical Notices of Persian Poets. 
Persian Sentences, page 383. 

876. The same. Note the peculiar form of this quatrain. 

877. C. 327. 

878. C. 239. 

Note. Some one or two quatrains included may not be regarded as 
obscure or trivial but are so classified because of what seem to be errors 
or obscurities in the Persian text. 

THE END 290 






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